boyfriend
BOY-frehnd
Boyfriend (noun) means a man or boy in an ongoing romantic relationship with someone, without being married. Example: “She introduced her boyfriend to her parents at dinner.”
noun
1
A man or boy in an ongoing romantic relationship with someone, without being married.
"She introduced her boyfriend to her parents at dinner."
"They've been boyfriend and girlfriend since high school."
"Her boyfriend cooked dinner for her on their anniversary."
How to use boyfriend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA man someone is dating.
Common pairings
ex-boyfriend
her boyfriend
boyfriend jeans
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Word forms
- Plural
- boyfriends
- Third person singular
- boyfriends
- Past tense
- boyfriended
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She introduced her _____ to her parents at dinner.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "boy" and "friend," used since the 19th century for a male romantic partner.
Class of 1800
boyfriend joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for boyfriend
See all rhymes for 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.
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