beau

noun

ˈbō 

plural beaux ˈbōz  or beaus

1

: dandy sense 1

2

: boyfriend sense 1

Synonyms of beau

• boyfriend

Examples of beau in a Sentence

Her beaux between marriage generally fell into two categories: ineffectual pretty boys or handsome brutes. —Joanne Kaufman, People, 21 Mar. 1988

This was essentially the vehicle that had been perfected, through more than a century or two, for—and by—a continuing line of fops, beaux, macaronis, dudes, bucks, blades, swells, bloods and mashers. —Osbert Sitwell, The Scarlet Tree, 1975

She introduced us to her latest beau.

her new beau brought flowers when he picked her up for their first date

Recent Examples on the Web

As bald eagle fans around the world mourn the death of Jackie, her longtime mate Shadow has been spotted with a possible new beau in Southern California. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Sara Howe, a carriage driving trainer who often sees Louise and her beau at competitions, told Hello! — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Berry, who turns 60 on August 14, didn’t share any photos of her musician beau in Tuesday’s post. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 July 2026

Think beau sels oysters, salted fish croquettes, roasted swordfish and pizzas topped with lobster, tomatoes and stracciatella. — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from beau, bel (masculine), belle (feminine) "beautiful, good-looking," going back to Old French bel, going back to Latin bellus, probably going back (via *duellos, assimilated from *duenlos) to *dwenelos, diminutive of *dwe-nos "good" (whence Old Latin duenos, Latin bonus) — more at bounty

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing beau

• beau geste
• beau ideal
• beau monde

Rhymes for beau

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

beau

noun

ˈbō 

plural beaux ˈbōz  or beaus

ˈbōz

: boyfriend sense 2

Etymology

from French beau "boyfriend," from beau (adjective) "fine, beautiful," derived from Latin bellus "pretty" — related to beauty, belle