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

Throw on a loose denim jacket or paper-thin cardigan on windier days, or dress it up in the evening with a boyfriend blazer and wedges or block heels. —Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 24 May 2026

Lena's boyfriend then makes a pit stop to buy her flowers. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026

Mackenzie Shirilla was convicted of murdering her boyfriend and a friend in 2023. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 23 May 2026

In another photo, the actress posed with her boyfriend, Danny Ramirez, who she has been linked to since mid-2025. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 23 May 2026

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