boo

interjection

\ˈbü

\

Definition of boo

(Entry 1 of 3)

—used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten

boo

noun

plural boos

Definition of boo (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : a shout of disapproval or contempt

2 : any utterance at all —usually used in negative constructions never said boo

boo

verb

booed; booing; boos

Definition of boo (Entry 3 of 3)

intransitive verb

: to deride especially by uttering a prolonged boo

transitive verb

: to express disapproval of by booing the crowd booed the referee

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about boo

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Synonyms & Antonyms for boo

Synonyms: Noun

Bronx cheer, catcall, hiss, hoot, jeer, raspberry, snort

Antonyms: Noun

Examples of boo in a Sentence

Noun

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: Interjection

Bring your promiscuous husband and dance the night away, boo! — Terra Jolé, PEOPLE.com, "Terra Jolé Says Little Women: LA Costar Briana's Marriage Is a 'Reckless Version of Love'," 6 July 2017 C’mon, when the day began the Dodgers were in third place in the standings, but led the league in pitching and led all of baseball in run differential and … boo! — Bill Plaschke, latimes.com, "From day to day, the Dodgers stay unpredictable," 25 May 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Nixon, who sat in the first few rows on the left side of the stage, heard boos at times when delegates voted for her during the nomination process. — Gregory Krieg, CNN, "Hillary Clinton endorses Cuomo in New York as progressive opponents fume," 23 May 2018 This man is revealed to be Lucas, the one-eyed client of Tony’s new boxing coach/boo, who suffers from PTSD and has no memory of the assault. — refinery29.com, "What’s Tony’s Secret In 13 Reasons Why?," 20 May 2018 Former Auburn coach Tony Barbee finally returned to the Plains on Wednesday and got a reception befitting of his horrendous four-year reign as coach: Some boos and largely indifference. — James Crepea, AL.com, "Tony Barbee returns to Auburn for first time with Kentucky," 14 Feb. 2018 All around him, the jeers and boos of two fan bases cut through the steamy air, but Price gave no visible reaction. — David Waldstein, New York Times, "Boston’s David Price Knocked Around by Yankees Once Again," 2 July 2018 While Khloé Kardashian should be basking in the glow of first time motherhood with her NBA-star boo Tristan Thompson, the recent birth of her baby girl happened in the middle of a media firestorm about Thompson. — Naomi Elias, The Cut, "How Many Kids Does Tristan Thompson Have?," 17 Apr. 2018 Mentions of the late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel, who has been scorching in his criticism of the president, and CNN, a favorite target of Trump’s, elicited boos. — Anthony Man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Newest Donald Trump club forms — in deeply Democratic Broward," 5 Apr. 2018 Mae All Over Lace Padded Bandeau Bralette: Perfect for low-cut tops and muscle tanks, this bandeau in floral lace keeps a peek-a-boo moment very tasteful. — Susan Brickell, Health.com, "The Bra and Underwear Sale You Won't Want to Miss on Amazon Tomorrow," 12 July 2018 After winning Sunday’s Overton’s 400 with a slick and somewhat controversial late move to pass Kyle Larson to take the checkered flag, Busch was greeted by loud boos from the crowd. — Michelle R. Martinelli, For The Win, "Kyle Busch to booing fans: 'I don't know what y'all are whining about'," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The former Breitbart News editor was literally booed out of an establishment, and there's video to prove it, posted by The Hill. — Madeleine Marr, miamiherald, "'Nazi scum, get out!' Milo Yiannopoulos apparently can't go out to lunch anymore | Miami Herald," 23 Apr. 2018 But when screens showed the outgoing President Enrique Pena Nieto of the Institutional Revolutionary Party or PRI, many of the crowd booed hard. — Time, "'I Am Here to Salute My President': Mexicans Celebrate Lopez Obrador's Left-Wing Landslide," 2 July 2018 The game took an egregiously long one hour and 45 minutes to play, causing many in the crowd of 21,200 at Crosley Field to grouse about slow play and boo the players’ walkup music. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Paul Daugherty: Lucky? Good? These Cincinnati Reds are probably both.," 11 July 2018 Gay rights activists would continue to confront him in public over the next two years, showing up to boo, stomp shout, and rush the stage at his weekly television show tapings. — Sascha Cohen, Smithsonian, "How Gay Activists Challenged the Politics of Civility," 10 July 2018 His arrival would be an odd twist for Dallas fans, who booed him steadfastly in each of his five trips to Dallas after that summertime saga. — Schuyler Dixon, Houston Chronicle, "AP sources: DeAndre Jordan commits again 3 years after jilting Mavericks," 1 July 2018 Ken Giles hasn’t blown a save, but has been ineffective enough Astros fans have been booing him, and Hector Rondon has been getting save chances. — Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Daugherty: Stick to Sports? Do you only ever talk about what you do for a living?," 26 June 2018 Instead, Trump gave some lawmakers in the room a reason to actually boo him, by dissing Rep. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.), who lost his primary last week thanks in part to a feud with Trump. — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, "On immigration, Trump is making life absolutely miserable for Republicans in Congress," 20 June 2018 The game started with Smith getting loud cheers from the Warriors fans, who booed him mercilessly in Game 1 after Smith slipped and fell into Klay Thompson's leg, sending the Warriors guard to the locker room briefly with an injury. — Josh Dubow, chicagotribune.com, "Cavs' J.R. Smith struggles in Game 2 after Game 1 blunder," 3 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'boo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Time Traveler for boo

The first known use of boo was in 1565

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More Definitions for boo

boo

noun

English Language Learners Definition of boo

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a sound that people make to show they do not like or approve of someone or something

: any sound at all

boo

verb

English Language Learners Definition of boo (Entry 2 of 2)

: to show dislike or disapproval of someone or something by shouting “Boo” slowly

See the full definition for boo in the English Language Learners Dictionary

boo

interjection

\ˈbü

\

Kids Definition of boo

(Entry 1 of 3)

—used to express disapproval or to startle or frighten

boo

noun

plural boos

Kids Definition of boo (Entry 2 of 3)

: a cry expressing disapproval

boo

verb

booed; booing

Kids Definition of boo (Entry 3 of 3)

: to express disapproval of with boos

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