—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 Johnston, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Lynch got the last laugh, attacking Lyra from behind to a chorus of boos.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 May 2025
In recent months, Canadian crowds have booed the American national anthem at hockey and baseball games.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 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
There is only one team participating in these Stanley Cup playoffs that could build a 3-1 series lead and still manage to hear boos while playing Game 5 on home ice.
—Chris Johnston, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Lynch got the last laugh, attacking Lyra from behind to a chorus of boos.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
News of new pope delivered by stoves, chemicals and ballots Joy Behar booed over Arnold Schwarzenegger joke on 'The View' Searching for 'Fallout' toys?
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 May 2025
In recent months, Canadian crowds have booed the American national anthem at hockey and baseball games.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 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 5 May. 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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