boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend 

1

: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic or sexual relationship

2

usually boy friend dated : a friend who is a boy

often, specifically : a male friend from childhood

… was a boy friend of [Abraham] Lincoln in Kentucky …

—Joseph Medill, quoted in McClure's Magazine

Synonyms of boyfriend

• beau
• boy
• husband

Examples of boyfriend in a Sentence

My boyfriend and I have only been dating for a couple of months.

her boyfriend always brings her flowers for Valentine's Day

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hour of the Star, in particular, drops us into the electric landscape of 1970s Brazil, following a young (ugly) girl’s love (situationship) with a rat of a boyfriend while weaving through themes of identity, inwardness, and social class. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

The case had drawn wide attention because Wells was the boyfriend of Shauna Redford, and her famous father showed up at the funeral. — Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026

Witchy intuition tells her that the dowager queen can’t be trusted, but her boyfriend won’t hear it. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

While rehearsing for her Coachella performance, Slayyyter found out her boyfriend had cheated on her; over the following weeks, her album WOR$ST GIRL IN AMERICA and subsequent Mojave Stage appearance would mark her biggest career successes to date. — Hannah Jocelyn, Pitchfork, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for boyfriend

• amend
• append
• ascend
• attend
• backend
• befriend
• commend
• compend
• contend
• defend
• depend
• descend

Kids Definition

boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend 

1

: a male friend

2

: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship