Definition of boo
—used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten
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Origin and Etymology of boo
Middle English bo
boo
Definition of boo
boos
1 : a shout of disapproval or contempt
2 : any utterance at all —usually used in negative constructions never said boo
Examples of boo in a Sentence
A chorus of boos was heard after the shot missed the goal.
The announcement was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
Recent Examples of boo from the Web
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Naturally, Charissee is great friends with the ex-wife of Gizelle’s new boo, Sherman.
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Her appearance on that panel made headlines because it was met with a smattering of boos from the audience.
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For all the boos Cena generates, he's earned the respect of the WWE Universe.
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The question drew loud cheers and boos from the crowd as Depp shrugged.
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New York's latest find in the draft was greeted with mostly boos from Knicks fans at Barclays Center when his name was announced by commissioner Adam Silver.
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Sure, there was an occasional boo and an occasional clap, but most of the 1,200 or so fans looked at their phones, drank beer or stared into the void while waiting for their team’s turn.
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The gymnast awkwardly laughed as the camera panned out to give everyone a view of her legs, and the audience responded with a combination of boos and whistles.
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But despite the unifying nature of the event, there were boos for the president, too, from the section for Democratic fans on the third base side.
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.
First Known Use of boo
1801
boo
Definition of boo
intransitive verb
: to deride especially by uttering a prolonged boo
transitive verb
: to express disapproval of by booing the crowd booed the referee
Examples of boo in a Sentence
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 of boo from the Web
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And then there’s the Williams sisters’ 13-year boycott of the Indian Wells tournament after crowds in 2001 booed, hurled racial epithets and accused them of fixing matches.
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Some residents booed and jeered as the mayor and three other council members adjourned from the meeting.
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By the time the Chargers and Leaf set out for Indianapolis in Week 5 of the 1998 season, Leaf had already cursed out a camera man, launched into a blue tirade against a reporter, and been booed by the crowd at Qualcomm Stadium.
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But May, who only narrowly managed to stay on as prime minister after a bruising election last week, was roundly booed.
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Lacob was booed loudly at Oracle Arena in the wake of the Monta Ellis trade and the firing of Don Nelson.
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Tigers outfielder Tyler Collins flashed a very quick middle finger toward fans who were booing him last year and wasn't suspended.
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A portion of people booed and protested, saying their stubs got destroyed in the rain or, unbelievably, had been tossed on the ground.
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The Rangers informed him of their decision within 30 minutes of him being booed off the mound from what was left of the Globe Life Park crowd.
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.
First Known Use of boo
1833
BOO Defined for English Language Learners
boo
Definition of boo for English Language Learners
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: a sound that people make to show they do not like or approve of someone or something
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: any sound at all
boo
Definition of boo for English Language Learners
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: to show dislike or disapproval of someone or something by shouting “Boo” slowly
BOO Defined for Kids
Definition of boo for Students
—used to express disapproval or to startle or frighten
Learn More about boo
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See words that rhyme with boo Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for boo Spanish Central: Translation of boo Nglish: Translation of boo for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of boo for Arabic speakers
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