boo

¹

[boo]

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

[boo, boh]

noun

1. Slang.,  marijuana.

boo

³

[boo]

noun

Slang.

1. one's boyfriend or girlfriend.

boo

/ 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

verb

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

   to boo the actors

Word History and Origins

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

While never behind at Hampden on Sunday, they were ringing almost as loud as the booing coming from the 49,000 inside Scotland's national stadium.

Read more on BBC

UCLA’s 24 consecutive points made its halftime advantage seem far greater, prompting Michigan State fans to serenade their team with boos heading into the locker room on what was shaping up as a not-so-festive homecoming.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"It pains me to the core that in my country they boo the captain of the national team," he added.

Read more on BBC

The fans at Bethpage Black have booed the Europeans, cheered their mistakes and begun counting out loud when they feel they’re taking too long to hit the ball.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He fell behind in the count 0-2 against Toronto reliever Louis Varland, as the crowd of 47,399 at Yankee Stadium began mentally rehearsing the chorus of boos that was one strike away.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• heckle 
• hiss 
• holler 
• hoot 
• jeer 

When To Use

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.