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Synonyms

boo

1 American  
[boo] / bu /

interjection

  1. (used to express contempt or disapprobation or to startle or frighten.)

noun

plural

boos

  1. an exclamation of contempt or disapproval.

    a loud boo from the bleachers.

verb (used without object)

booed, booing

  1. to cry boo in derision.

verb (used with object)

booed, booing

  1. to show disapproval of by booing.

boo 2 American  
[boo, boh] / bu, boʊ /

noun

  1. Slang. marijuana.

boo 3 American  
[boo] / bu /

noun

Slang.

  1. one's boyfriend or girlfriend.

boo British  
/ buː /

interjection

  1. an exclamation uttered to startle or surprise someone, esp a child

  2. a shout uttered to express disgust, dissatisfaction, or contempt, esp at a theatrical production, political meeting, etc

  3. is extremely timid or diffident

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to shout "boo" at (someone or something), esp as an expression of disgust, dissatisfaction, or disapproval

    to boo the actors
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What else does boo mean? Boo is the sound we pretend ghosts make as well as a sound we make when we really don’t like something.Boo is also an affectionate term for one's significant other, similar to bae.

Etymology

Origin of boo1

First recorded in 1630–40; expressive formation

Origin of boo2

First recorded in 1955–60; of uncertain origin

Origin of boo3

1985–90; of uncertain origin; possibly an alteration of French beau “boyfriend, admirer”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The chorus of boos that greets Mr. Horner clearly takes him aback, as it does the drivers shown backstage.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to one high-ranking MLS executive who has attended multiple Messi games in NFL stadiums, Saturday was the first time he heard he Argentine captain booed.

From Los Angeles Times

The supporters at Santagiulia were partisan in favour of the Canadians, with the USA team roundly booed before face-off.

From BBC

The crowd at Montreal's Bell Centre for that game loudly booed the US national anthem pre-game - an issue which will be avoided in Milan.

From BBC

His love-hate relationship with fans in France continued this season in Bordeaux as he was booed in the Champions Cup final rematch, where he scored twice in defeat.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.