boa

[boh-uh]

noun

plural

boas 

1. any of several nonvenomous, chiefly tropical constrictors of the family Boidae, having vestigial hind limbs at the base of the tail.

2. a scarf or stole of feathers, fur, or fabric.

boa

/ ˈbəʊə /

noun

1. any large nonvenomous snake of the family Boidae , most of which occur in Central and South America and the Caribbean. They have vestigial hind limbs and kill their prey by constriction

2. a woman's long thin scarf, usually of feathers or fur

Word History and Origins

Origin of boa¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: water adder

Word History and Origins

Origin of boa¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin: a large Italian snake, water snake

Example Sentences

Using powerful microscopes, the researchers discovered that species such as ball pythons, Angolan pythons, and Madagascan tree boas produce urates made up of tiny textured spheres between 1 and 10 micrometers across.

Read more on Science Daily

Part of why I love that it’s Vegas is that there’s this ceilinglessness in terms of no holds barred again, like I want to wear a boa.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In their family photos, Lincoln wore a feather boa to match Rowan and Finley’s.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We went out back and put boas on and we had our moment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

English Heritage said his "iconic look, featuring sequins, feather boas, and platform boots" defined Glam Rock's aesthetic and "challenged traditional notions of masculinity".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bandanna 
• shawl 
• stole