ENGLISH
REFERENCE

boo

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbu// UK //bˈuː// boo Archaic Slang

n. a person you are in a romantic relationship with, like a boyfriend or girlfriend. It is a sweet name for someone you love.

n. a term of endearment for a romantic partner. Informal in register and primarily used in African American Vernacular English before entering mainstream slang.


SIMPLE

I am going to the movies with my boo tonight.

CONTEXTUAL

She posted a photo on social media of her and her boo celebrating their first anniversary at the beach.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From earlier (15c.) boh, coined to create a loud and startling sound. Compare Middle English bus! (“bang!”, interjection), Latin boō (“cry aloud, roar, shout”, verb), Ancient Greek βοάω (boáō, “shout”, verb).

Etymology 2

From beau, from French beau. First appears c. 1988 in the Washington Post: See the cite below.

Etymology 3

Of unknown origin, possibly from boojum, from a fancied resemblance of the plants. First appears c. 1959 in Esquire Magazine.

Etymology 4

Likely onomatopoeic.

Etymology 5

Dubious; perhaps adaptation of French beau (“beautiful”).

Usage

Commonly used as a vocative to address a partner directly or as a reference to them in the third person.

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