boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend 

1

: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic or sexual relationship

2

usually boy friend dated : a friend who is a boy

often, specifically : a male friend from childhood

… was a boy friend of [Abraham] Lincoln in Kentucky …

—Joseph Medill, quoted in McClure's Magazine

Synonyms of boyfriend

• beau
• boy
• husband

Examples of boyfriend in a Sentence

My boyfriend and I have only been dating for a couple of months.

her boyfriend always brings her flowers for Valentine's Day

Recent Examples on the Web

The ex-boyfriend, who was not identified in court, died in 2020. — Mike Toole, CBS News, 30 June 2026

Whatever the facts of the case, the parents would prefer to believe that their daughter had died pursuing an ambitious dream, and that her boyfriend had loved her. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

The film follows Maddie (Early), a talented home cook whose career takes off after her boyfriend posts a video of her cooking in their pink kitchen. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 28 June 2026

Last season’s Yulissa Escobar was dismissed after Redditors unearthed old videos of the event planner dropping the n-word on a podcast discussing an ex-boyfriend. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for boyfriend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend
• descend

Kids Definition

boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend 

1

: a male friend

2

: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship