noun
boa
BOH-uh
noun
1
A large, non-venomous snake that kills prey by constriction, such as the boa constrictor.
"The boa coiled itself slowly around the branch."
2
A long, fluffy scarf, often made of feathers, worn draped around the neck and shoulders.
"She wore a bright pink feather boa to the party."
How to Use Boa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a large constricting snake or a long feathery scarf — two very different things sharing one name.
Common pairings
boa constrictor
feather boa
Word Forms
boas plural, boæ plural, Boas plural, Boa plural
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The _____ coiled itself slowly around the branch.
Etymology
From Latin boa, the name of a large snake described by the Roman writer Pliny. The fluffy scarf was later named after the snake because of its similar shape when worn around the neck.