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 final picture in the carousel included a short video of comedian and boyfriend Matt Rogers sitting with him at his bedside. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 8 Dec. 2025

Jess did not ultimately win the Rory Gilmore boyfriend Olympics. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Dec. 2025

But detectives had learned that some of Molly's friends had gathered at her boyfriend Steven Lukas' house the morning of Molly's disappearance. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025

What worried her even more was her boyfriend’s response. —Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025

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