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

Cody’s script follows Roxanne, an obsessive high school senior who goes to her ex-boyfriend’s college campus to win him back, only to wage war on his new girlfriend and accidentally find the first person who truly understands her. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

Madonna was seen at a VMAs after-party with boyfriend Akeem Morris and daughter Lourdes Leon. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 28 Sep. 2026

Pike and her boyfriend were convicted in the 1995 killing of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, their classmate at Knoxville Job Corps. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

Weyant closed on the apartment shortly after breaking up with her very famous boyfriend and gallerist Larry Gagosian. — Kim Velsey, Curbed, 28 Sep. 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