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.
Meanwhile, his secret boyfriend (Peter Macdissi) wants to tag along, too, despite Frank’s reservations. Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026 His girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, skipped the red carpet but joined her boyfriend inside the event, sitting with him and holding his hand. Meg Walters, InStyle, 22 Feb. 2026 Chloe had dated Maxwell for more than a year, and she was stunned to hear her ex-boyfriend was a suspect. Lauren A. White, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026 The collision, which occurred in Key Largo, Florida, killed 22-year-old Naibel Benavides and severely injured her boyfriend, Dillon Angulo. Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 20 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Boyfriend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boyfriend. Accessed 25 Feb. 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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