noun
Common
bo
boh
Bo (noun) means an informal, old-fashioned way of addressing a man; "buddy" or "fella.". Example: “Hey bo, can you give me a hand with this crate?”
noun
1
An informal, old-fashioned way of addressing a man; "buddy" or "fella."
"Hey bo, can you give me a hand with this crate?"
"Thanks for the lift, bo, I owe you one."
"Watch where you're going, bo."
How to use bo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old slang term for a man or friend, similar to "buddy" or "pal."
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Word forms
- Plural
- bos
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Hey _____, can you give me a hand with this crate?
Etymology
Probably a shortening of boy.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “bo” mean?
The word “bo” means an informal, old-fashioned way of addressing a man; "buddy" or "fella.". In plain terms, an old slang term for a man or friend, similar to "buddy" or "pal.".
How do you pronounce “bo”?
“Bo” is pronounced boh (/boʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bo” in a sentence?
Here is “bo” used in a sentence: “Watch where you're going, bo.”
What part of speech is “bo”?
“Bo” is a noun.
Is “bo” a common word?
“Bo” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between bo and beau?
Bo is an informal, old-fashioned way of addressing a man, similar to "buddy" or "fella," as in "Listen, bo." Beau is a different word meaning a boyfriend or male admirer. They sound alike, which is why the two are often confused in writing.
Is bo slang, and is it still used?
Bo is informal and distinctly old-fashioned. It was used to address a man directly, much like buddy, mac, or pal, and today it appears mostly in older writing or period dialogue rather than everyday conversation.
Is bo a valid word in Scrabble?
Yes. Bo is accepted in the major Scrabble word lists as an informal term of address for a man. Two-letter words like bo are especially useful for forming parallel plays, which makes it worth remembering.
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