boyfriend

[boi-frend]

noun

1. a frequent or favorite male companion; beau.

2. a male friend.

3. a male lover.

adjective

1. pertaining to or noting clothing and accessories for women that are inspired by men's fashions.

   roomy and comfortable boyfriend jeans;

   an oversize boyfriend watch.

boyfriend

/ ˈbɔɪˌfrɛnd /

noun

1. a male friend with whom a person is romantically or sexually involved; sweetheart or lover

Word History and Origins

Origin of boyfriend¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; boy + friend

Example Sentences

She heeds this warning, starting to realize that this boyfriend might not bring her freedom but deadweight, as much as she tries to help him help himself.

From Los Angeles Times

Gough: The thing is, if your first boyfriend turns out to be a monster, there was never going to be like, “Oh, I can’t wait to dive back into a romance” idea.

From Los Angeles Times

The Black Panther Party is a place where a furious Black man bellows at him about stuff while Jenny’s no-good boyfriend punches her.

From Salon

Asked last week by the New York Times what it felt like to play "one of the internet's most hated boyfriends", Casalegno replied that he knew fans "tend to dislike him".

From BBC

We Swifties have seen a lot of boyfriends over the years, some we've liked and some we definitely have not liked.

From BBC

Related Words

• beau 
• companion 
• friend 
• partner 
• suitor 
• sweetheart 
• young man