English Reference
Noun

booing

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈbuɪŋ/ UK /bˈuːɪŋ/ boo·ing

n.the loud sound of a crowd shouting 'boo' to show they do not like a performance or a person. It is the opposite of cheering.

n.the collective vocal expression of disapproval or contempt from an audience, typically through the sustained utterance of the word 'boo'.


SIMPLE

The crowd's booing grew louder as the player left the field.

CONTEXTUAL

Despite the actor's best efforts, the booing from the gallery made it impossible to hear the final lines of the play.

COMPLEX

The politician's speech was met with such persistent booing that the moderator was forced to intervene and remind the audience of the rules of civil debate.

Usage

Often functions as a gerund noun; frequently paired with verbs like 'hear' or 'ignore'.

The decision was greeted with booing by some of the sparse crowd that remained inside the ground.

BBC News· 29 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated