beau

noun

plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Olsen sparked engagement buzz when, in the summer of 2019, she was spotted rocking a dark brown band while out on a movie and dinner date with her beau in Los Angeles. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 23 May 2025 Pre-race beau Primož Roglič looked strong on the stage two time-trial, missing out on victory by less than a second, and wearing the maglia rosa (pink jersey) on two separate occasions. Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025 Gracie Hunt has gone public with a new beau who has strong and long-time ties to Chiefs Kingdom. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2025 Evette Jeffrey had spent the afternoon with her beau when cops say a 14-year-old gunman opened fire into a crowd outside the Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School campus near Home St. and Tinton Ave. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for beau

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of beau was in 1653

Cite this Entry

“Beau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beau. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

beau

noun
plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus
ˈbōz
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on beau

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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