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
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
Gwyneth Paltrow whipped up her famous boyfriend-breakfast in a silky navy set, Kate Hudson sat for hair and makeup in a knitted turtleneck combo, and Demi Moore hung out with family in a gingham two-piece.
—Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigators said the fire was sparked following a domestic disturbance that led a woman to burn her boyfriend’s clothing in a barbecue pit on an apartment patio, FOX26 Houston reported.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Investigators quickly learned that the girl had been staying with a friend at the residence where Gunter, her boyfriend at the time, visited her, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
From the San Francisco Bay Area, VanAcker was visiting central California with her long-term boyfriend, authorities said.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boyfriend
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Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Investigators said the fire was sparked following a domestic disturbance that led a woman to burn her boyfriend’s clothing in a barbecue pit on an apartment patio, FOX26 Houston reported.
—Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Investigators quickly learned that the girl had been staying with a friend at the residence where Gunter, her boyfriend at the time, visited her, the warrant affidavit said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 6 Jan. 2026
From the San Francisco Bay Area, VanAcker was visiting central California with her long-term boyfriend, authorities said.
—Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boyfriend
Cite this Entry
“Boyfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boyfriend. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boyfriend
noun
boy·friend
ˈbȯi-ˌfrend
1
: a male friend
2
: a frequent or regular male companion in a romantic relationship
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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