boyfriend

noun

boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend How to pronounce boyfriend (audio)
Synonyms of boyfriendnext
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The father is Kylie's boyfriend Travis Scott, 25. Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 1 Feb. 2026 Goulet’s testimony happened during the probable cause hearing for Garcia’s boyfriend, Jonatan Nanita. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 1 Feb. 2026 The boyfriend, who had a firearm, allegedly assaulted the adult male victim, authorities said. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026 Bella Hadid’s ex-boyfriend, cowboy Adan Banuelos, has been arrested in Texas, less than a week after news broke that the couple had parted ways. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boyfriend

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of boyfriend was in 1822

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boyfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boyfriend. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

boyfriend

noun
boy·​friend ˈbȯi-ˌfrend How to pronounce boyfriend (audio)
1
: a male friend
2
: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship

More from Merriam-Webster on boyfriend

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!