# Boer

/ˈbɔɹ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/boer
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

a person of Dutch or Huguenot descent in South Africa, especially a farmer. The word comes from the Dutch word for farmer.

For teachers: a member of the Dutch-descended population of South Africa, historically associated with agricultural life and the frontier. Often used in historical contexts regarding the South African Wars.

## Examples

- The Boer farmers moved inland to find new land.
- Historical accounts of the region often detail the conflicts between Boer settlers and the British Empire during the nineteenth century.
- The cultural identity of the Boer population was forged through a combination of Calvinist religious tradition and the harsh realities of frontier life in the Cape Colony.

## Usage notes

- Capitalised when referring to the specific ethnic group or historical faction.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.