boyfriend
9 synonyms for boyfriend, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A man or boy in an ongoing romantic relationship with someone, without being married.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use boyfriend
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ex-boyfriend
her boyfriend
boyfriend jeans
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "boy" and "friend," used since the 19th century for a male romantic partner.
Full origin of boyfriend →Frequently asked questions
What does “boyfriend” mean?
The word “boyfriend” means a man or boy in an ongoing romantic relationship with someone, without being married. In plain terms, a man someone is dating.
How do you pronounce “boyfriend”?
“Boyfriend” is pronounced BOY-frehnd (/ˈbɔɪˌfɹɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “boyfriend” in a sentence?
Here is “boyfriend” used in a sentence: “She introduced her boyfriend to her parents at dinner.”
What part of speech is “boyfriend”?
“Boyfriend” is a noun.
Where does the word “boyfriend” come from?
The word “boyfriend” dates back to around 1800. A straightforward compound of "boy" and "friend," used since the 19th century for a male romantic partner.
Is “boyfriend” a common word?
“Boyfriend” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a boyfriend and a husband?
A boyfriend is a man or boy someone is romantically involved with but not married to. A husband is a man legally married to his spouse. The key difference is marriage: a boyfriend relationship has no legal or formal marital bond, while a husband's relationship is recognised in law.
What is the difference between a boyfriend and a partner?
'Boyfriend' specifies a male in a romantic relationship and often suggests something younger or more casual. 'Partner' is gender-neutral and tends to imply a serious, committed relationship, sometimes involving living together. Many people prefer 'partner' because it works for any relationship without revealing gender or marital status.
What is the female equivalent of boyfriend?
The female equivalent is 'girlfriend,' a woman or girl in an ongoing romantic relationship with someone, without being married. The two terms mirror each other exactly, differing only in the gender of the person described. Both are informal and widely used in everyday conversation.
Is 'boyfriend' a formal or informal word?
'Boyfriend' is informal and conversational, suited to everyday speech rather than legal or official documents. In formal settings people often use 'partner' or 'significant other' instead. Despite being casual, the word is completely standard and carries no negative tone at all.
