—used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten
plural boos
1
: a shout of disapproval or contempt
2
: any utterance at all
—usually used in negative constructions
never said boo
booed; booing; boos
: to deride especially by uttering a prolonged boo
: to express disapproval of by booing
the crowd booed the referee
plural boos
US slang
: a romantic partner : sweetheart, honey
Your parents might keep a sharp eye on potential partners and your besties may lay down difficult "friend tests," but only one real opinion on your new boo truly matters: what your dog thinks of them.—
Jaime Lees
Jaime LeesThis has left me skeptical of all new relationships—including my new boo.—Griffin Wynne
Griffin WynneExamples of boo in a Sentence
Noun (1)
A chorus of boos was heard after the shot missed the goal.
The announcement was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
Verb
Many people in the crowd booed when the announcement was made.
Many people in the crowd booed the announcement, but a few people cheered it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
Chris Willman, Variety, 5 July 2025
Austin entrepreneur Kendra Scott has a new boo: Country music star Zac Brown
🌳Texas heat cramping your outdoor activity?
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
In Westfield, Spartz seemed to keep a cool head for the entire two hours despite the shouts and boos from the crowd to her answers.
—Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for boo
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Interjection
Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
Noun
The day went off without many obvious hitches, although one unexpected development was Disturbed singer David Draiman being greeted with boos as well as cheers.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 July 2025
Austin entrepreneur Kendra Scott has a new boo: Country music star Zac Brown
🌳Texas heat cramping your outdoor activity?
—Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Verb
The fans booed as the Cubs trudged to the clubhouse after pinch-hitter Scot Thompson, a .193 hitter that season, struck out in the ninth inning, stranding Keith Moreland.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
In Westfield, Spartz seemed to keep a cool head for the entire two hours despite the shouts and boos from the crowd to her answers.
—Brittany Carloni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for boo
Cite this Entry
“Boo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boo. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boo
1 of 2 interjection
—used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten
boo
2 of 2 noun
plural boos
1
: a shout of disapproval or contempt
2
: any sound at all
never said boo
boo
verb
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