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
Laura GutschkeExamples of boba in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Adds to Your Daily Caffeine Amount Drinking boba made with caffeinated teas like black, green, and oolong tea can contribute to your total caffeine intake for the day.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Feb. 2026
Vendors lined the park Saturday, selling everything from jewelry and toys to Korean corn dogs and boba drinks.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The pair became fast friends and started considering opening a boba tea spot after seeing a long line for the drink at a mall kiosk.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Foodies should take note of this event at Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, which is expected to feature competitions for eating pho and bun bo hue, drinking boba tea and wrapping dumplings.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Guests would be able to customize drinks with toppings such as tapioca pearls and popping boba.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The megachain’s entry into Los Angeles’ boba market comes at a time when local shops are struggling with rising costs driven by tariffs and economic uncertainty.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Noted for its cheese‐foam and boba-tea creations, Hey Tea is slated to open this June at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Sumo Snow Express’s menu focuses on slushies and smoothies instead of the milk teas found at a typical boba shop.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 19 Feb. 2026
Vendors lined the park Saturday, selling everything from jewelry and toys to Korean corn dogs and boba drinks.
—Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The pair became fast friends and started considering opening a boba tea spot after seeing a long line for the drink at a mall kiosk.
—Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 11 Feb. 2026
Foodies should take note of this event at Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, which is expected to feature competitions for eating pho and bun bo hue, drinking boba tea and wrapping dumplings.
—Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Guests would be able to customize drinks with toppings such as tapioca pearls and popping boba.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The megachain’s entry into Los Angeles’ boba market comes at a time when local shops are struggling with rising costs driven by tariffs and economic uncertainty.
—Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Noted for its cheese‐foam and boba-tea creations, Hey Tea is slated to open this June at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 Jan. 2026
Sumo Snow Express’s menu focuses on slushies and smoothies instead of the milk teas found at a typical boba shop.
—Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Boba.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boba. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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