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.
Taylor's boyfriend at the time fired at the officers, and Taylor was killed as police fired back. Dylan Lovan, Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026 Pike's boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp, was convicted of first-degree murder, sentenced to life in prison and recently was denied parole. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026 In 2000, Pender’s boyfriend at the time, drug dealer Richard Hull, killed Andrew Cataldi and Tricia Nordman, The Indianapolis Star reported. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026 Laura, a piano student from Berlin, played with arresting ambivalence by Paula Beer, narrowly survives a car wreck that kills her boyfriend. Holden Seidlitz, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 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 25 Mar. 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

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