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

While Gosselin did not reveal her boyfriend's last name in the post, several fans commented on his resemblance to the Gosselin family's bodyguard she was previously accused of having an affair with in 2009. —Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025

Back inside, her boyfriend let the dogs out of their crates and brought tea and Diet Cokes for us. —Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

Spoken by Emerald to Liberty, who’s hesitant to accept the proposal of her hot doctor boyfriend (O-T Fagbenle). —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025

Clarkson recalled that former boyfriend musician Graham Colton introduced her to Griffin’s music. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Nov. 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