boba

noun

bo·​ba ˈbō-bə 

plural boba also bobas

1

or boba tea : a sweet drink of tea mixed typically with milk, tapioca balls, and additional ingredients (such as fresh fruit or fruit syrup) and served hot or cold : bubble tea

—often used before another noun

a boba shop

2

plural : small balls of tapioca sometimes filled with flavored syrup and used chiefly in making boba

A wider straw enables the squishy bobas, which can have a burst of flavor when popped, to be slurped from the bottom of the cup.

—Laura Gutschke

Examples of boba in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their customers comment in the livestream’s chat, order hundreds of products during a session, and sometimes send tips and the occasional boba. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

HeyTea has a diverse assortment of beverages, from the classic boba milk and fruit tea to signature slushie drinks. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Think smoothies, boba, fast food, salty snacks, in-app purchases and cosmetics. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026

With everything on its menu priced under $5, this boba and soft-serve shop from China serves up sweet treats that even those on the tightest budgets don’t have to feel guilty about. — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Chinese (Beijing) bōbà, name for the large tapioca balls found in the tea, perhaps literally, "large breasts, large-breasted woman"

First Known Use

2000, in the meaning defined at sense 1