boa

American  

[boh-uh] / ˈboʊ ə /

noun

• boas
  plural

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.

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boa British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• boas
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of boa

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin: water adder

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Explanation

A boa is a type of snake that squeezes its prey. It's also a fluffy, feathered, colorful scarf. Don't confuse the two and wear a snake as a scarf! There are two types of boas: one is usually dangerous, and one is sometimes fashionable. The boa is a type of enormous serpent (also known as a boa constrictor) that squeezes its victims to death. Boas are mainly found in tropical regions. If you see a boa outside a zoo, you're in deep trouble. The other type of boa is more silly than scary: it's a long thin scarf that has either feathers or fur. If you are shopping for a boa, try to avoid coming home with the reptilian variety.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

boa boas

Now, two years later, Harry Styles walks onto that same floor in pearls and a feather boa, singing about tenderness and change and wanting.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

Powell compared China’s naval strategy around Taiwan to that of a boa constrictor, moving slowly to overpower its rival, rather than striking dramatically as a viper might.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Adorning himself in a white boa, Platt channeled Liza Minnelli, whom he called the greatest nepo baby of all time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 15, 2025

Dame Karen stood out in the largely male and often stale world of Washington in her colourful tailor-made suits, occasionally complemented with a feather boa.

From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2025

Harry sat up and gasped; the glass front of the boa constrictor’s tank had vanished.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

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.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2025

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

From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2025

“I have advice for you. How about put some wigs on, get some boas, and go have real fun.”

From Salon ● May 2, 2024

When we were little, our favorite thing to do was play dress up with Auggie; load him up with feather boas and big hats and Hannah Montana wigs.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio

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Related Words

• bandanna
• shawl
• stole

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