—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
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
The Denmark internationals met in the middle of the pitch and embraced, skipping merrily with their arms around each other as City fans’ boos rained down around them.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 May 2025
James Pearce, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Hours before he was announced as the sole finalist for the University of Florida’s top job last Sunday, Ono was booed during a commencement address in Ann Arbor over his handling of campus protests.
—Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for boo
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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
Lynch’s early attempt to get heat only resulted in cheers, though there were some boos mixed in.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
The Denmark internationals met in the middle of the pitch and embraced, skipping merrily with their arms around each other as City fans’ boos rained down around them.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 8 May 2025
Verb
The negative side was on show when Trent was booed.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Hours before he was announced as the sole finalist for the University of Florida’s top job last Sunday, Ono was booed during a commencement address in Ann Arbor over his handling of campus protests.
—Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 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 25 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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