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

Zach Hickerson found Panettiere in a living room chair while his brother, Brian Hickerson— the actor’s on-and-off boyfriend — was asleep in a bedroom, according to TMZ. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026

There were bouncers rotating at the door … the tired, the sick, the hungry, the famous and tons of ex-boyfriends [showed up], all regretting their wrongs. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026

Hayden Panettiere’s mother, Lesley Vogel, shared her first public comments since the actor’s death, including speaking out about the family’s longstanding concerns with Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2026

As her first cold case, Lauren chooses the murder more than 20 years ago of Sherry Darling, a transgender woman whose boyfriend’s conviction in her death was overturned on appeal. — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 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