boo

12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for boo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Intj — An exclamation shouted to scare someone, usually while jumping out unexpectedly.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

bird

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

sweetheart darling raspberry

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

jeer heckle hiss catcall hoot snort razzing razz

Synonyms by Meaning

1. intj

An exclamation shouted to scare someone, usually while jumping out unexpectedly.

“The little girl hid behind the sofa and shouted "boo!" at her dad.”

jeer heckle hiss catcall sweetheart darling

Opposites

cheer

2. verb

To shout disapproval, especially at a performance or event.

“Some of the audience began to boo when the singer forgot the words.”

hiss

Opposites

applaud

3. noun

Informal term for a boyfriend, girlfriend, or romantic partner.

“He bought flowers for his boo because it was their anniversary.”

hiss bird hoot snort raspberry razzing razz

How to use boo

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

boo someone off stage my boo

The "sweetheart" sense is informal slang, common in casual speech and social media.

Etymology

From an earlier form "boh," coined to imitate a sudden, startling shout.

Full origin of boo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “boo” mean?

The word “boo” means an exclamation shouted to scare someone, usually while jumping out unexpectedly. In plain terms, a word to scare someone, a shout of disapproval, or slang for a sweetheart.

How do you pronounce “boo”?

“Boo” is pronounced boo (/buː/ in IPA).

How do you use “boo” in a sentence?

Here is “boo” used in a sentence: “He jumped from behind the door and yelled "boo!".”

What is the opposite of “boo”?

The opposite of “boo” — its antonyms — is cheer.

What part of speech is “boo”?

Depending on how it is used, “boo” can be an intj, a verb and a noun.

Is “boo” a common word?

“Boo” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “boo” have?

“Boo” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an exclamation shouted to scare someone, usually while jumping out unexpectedly.

What is the difference between 'boo' and 'cheer'?

They express opposite reactions. To boo is to shout disapproval, especially at a performance, while to cheer is to shout approval and support.

What is the difference between 'boo' and 'hiss'?

Both express disapproval from a crowd and are often paired together as 'boo and hiss.' Booing is shouting the word or sound 'boo,' while hissing is making a drawn-out 's' sound.

Is 'boo' formal or informal?

Boo is informal in all its uses, whether as an exclamation to startle someone, a shout of disapproval, or a pet name for a partner. It suits casual speech rather than formal writing.

People also searched

bird darling cheer sweetheart applaud raspberry razz jeer hoot hiss snort heckle

Nearby words

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