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
First, a Super Bowl half time appearance—next, maybe a Super Bowl ring for boyfriend Diggs?
—Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Fischnaller leaned hard on her family, teammates and coaches, as well as her then-boyfriend, now husband, Italian luger Dominik Fischnaller, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist in men’s singles after earning the podium again Sunday in the men’s event.
—Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
When Alice Monroe's boyfriend goes missing during their vacation in France, she's forced to uncover secrets hidden in his past.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
The victim's mother and her boyfriend were taken into custody Friday night.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boyfriend
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Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
Fischnaller leaned hard on her family, teammates and coaches, as well as her then-boyfriend, now husband, Italian luger Dominik Fischnaller, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist in men’s singles after earning the podium again Sunday in the men’s event.
—Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
When Alice Monroe's boyfriend goes missing during their vacation in France, she's forced to uncover secrets hidden in his past.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Feb. 2026
The victim's mother and her boyfriend were taken into custody Friday night.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 8 Feb. 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 Feb. 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
