adjective

boho

BOH-hoh

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Boho (adjective) means describing a relaxed, artistic style of dress or decoration marked by flowing fabrics, earthy colours, folk patterns and layered vintage pieces. Example: “She wore a boho maxi dress with a wide leather belt.”

adjective

Describing a relaxed, artistic style of dress or decoration marked by flowing fabrics, earthy colours, folk patterns and layered vintage pieces.

"She wore a boho maxi dress with a wide leather belt."

"The flat has a boho feel — rattan, plants and a lot of mismatched rugs."

noun

A person who lives in an unconventional, artistic way, outside mainstream social conventions.

"The village has become a haven for bohos and weekend potters."

How to use boho

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA loose, arty, hippie-ish look.

When to use it

Informal, and now mostly a fashion and interiors term rather than a description of a way of life. Frequently blended into 'boho chic' and 'boho-luxe'.

Memory tip

Boho is the everyday, commercial version of the word. 'Bohemian' still carries the older sense of an artist living unconventionally.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

bohemian → hippie → cottagecore

Common pairings

boho chic boho style boho dress boho wedding boho decor

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “boho” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She wore a _____ maxi dress with a wide leather belt.

Etymology

A shortening of bohemian, which came into English from French bohémien, originally meaning a native of Bohemia.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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bohemian hippie free-spirited eclectic free spirit

Antonyms

minimalist preppy formal

Related words

official ball formal summary conventional varied casual informal

Rhymes for boho

oho Soho toho

See all rhymes for boho →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between boho and bohemian?

Bohemian originally described a person living an unconventional, artistic life, and is still used that way. Boho is a clipped modern form that mostly describes a look — clothes, weddings, interiors — rather than a lifestyle.

What is boho chic?

It is the polished, fashion-industry version of boho: floaty fabrics, folk embroidery, fringing and vintage-inspired jewellery, styled to look effortless. It became a mainstream trend through festival and celebrity dressing.

Is boho the same as hippie?

They overlap heavily but are not identical. Hippie is tied to a specific 1960s counterculture and its politics, while boho is broader, older in origin and mainly aesthetic.

What is the meaning of boho?

"boho" (adjective) means describing a relaxed, artistic style of dress or decoration marked by flowing fabrics, earthy colours, folk patterns and layered vintage pieces.

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