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

bird [chiefly British], Bronx cheer, catcall, hiss, hoot, jeer, raspberry, razz, snort

Antonyms: Noun

cheer

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

Bradner is particularly beautiful with its peek-a-boo views of the Olympic Mountains and downtown. — The Seattle Times, "Secret Seattle: 10 hidden neighborhood hangouts," 15 Oct. 2018 That phone call to your boo probably isn't worth it. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Reminder: You Still Can't Make Phone Calls on a Flight," 9 July 2018 Boundless gratitude to my boos @todaytamara [and] @amberrosetamblyn for planning a magical and powerful celebration. — Emily Wang, Glamour, "America Ferrera Just Welcomed Her First Child—and the Pic Is So Cute," 29 May 2018 There’s no question all this nickel-and-diming and playing peek-a-boo with fees is aggravating passengers. — Bill Mcgee, USA TODAY, "A plea for transparency on airline fees," 10 Jan. 2018 In fact, alongside Olivia (Alexa Adeosun) and fellow boo Kevin (Nick Sagar) is Vanessa’s actual body double, super visible in the frame. — Sara Delgado, Teen Vogue, "Fans Spotted Mistakes in Netflix's "The Princess Switch," Including Vanessa Hudgens's Body Double," 19 Nov. 2018 After the game, Serena refused to shake Ramos' hand, amidst boos from the crowd. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Serena Williams Lost at U.S. Open and Called the Umpire a "Thief" Over Her Cheating Penalty," 9 Sep. 2018 Dwyane Wade has played 81 road playoff games in his career and experienced the deafening sounds of cheers and boos inside 17 different arenas. — Manny Navarro, miamiherald, "Dwyane Wade: Playing in frenzied Philly could create ‘the chills’ if Heat isn’t ready | Miami Herald," 14 Apr. 2018 His appearance was met with a chorus of cheers and boos. — Max Londberg, kansascity, "Does Trump know the national anthem? Debate rages after football title game," 9 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Several hundred of the 15,000 at Civic Center Plaza booed and walked out of the huge assembly as the ex-Cassius Clay and ex-heavy-weight world champion hammered out his Black Muslim doctrine. — Johnny Miller, San Francisco Chronicle, "Survivors thank ‘strange’ liberators," 18 Apr. 2018 Poor Lionel gets booed for simply being honest and telling Alyssa her identity didn’t come through with that performance. — Robbie Daw, Billboard, "'American Idol' Recap: The Top 14 Revealed Following Celebrity Duets (Critics' Take)," 17 Apr. 2018 Each time the fighters started to grapple on the ground, the fans booed, seeking to prompt the referee to get them back to their feet. — Greg Moore, azcentral, "Moore: UFC on FOX 29 in Glendale story can be told through the crowd," 14 Apr. 2018 When Thompson's face was shown on the big screen at the arena on Wednesday during a game against the New York Knicks, a spattering of fans booed him, according to Us Weekly. — Emily Bamforth, cleveland.com, "Cavs center Tristan Thompson, Khloe Kardashian cheating rumors set Cleveland buzzing," 12 Apr. 2018 As the national anthem played, the crowd began to boo them. — Deneen L. Brown, The Seattle Times, "An iconic Olympics moment: Looking back at the Black Power salute that rocked the world in 1968," 16 Oct. 2018 At the trophy ceremony later that evening, the audience booed loudly; both Osaka and Williams cried, before embracing each other, as Williams came to her competitor’s side. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "U.S. Open Champion Naomi Osaka Gets an Endorsement From Japan’s Most Major Fashion Brand," 10 Sep. 2018 Williams recovered to grab a 3-1 lead in the second set, but Osaka held firm, even as Williams and Ramos began their back-and-forth, and the pro-Serena crowd in Arthur Ashe Stadium began to boo Ramos like a wrestling heel. — Jason Gay, WSJ, "Naomi Osaka Gets the Last Word," 9 Sep. 2018 Supporters of Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach repeatedly booed Gov. Jeff Colyer at a Republican debate in Johnson County Thursday night as the two leading Republicans exchanged barbs. — Bryan Lowry, kansascity, "Kobach and Colyer trade barbs — and boos— at heated Johnson County GOP debate," 12 July 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.