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Synonyms

boo

1 American  
[boo, boh] / bu, boʊ /

noun

  1. Slang. marijuana.

boo 2 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 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 1955–60; of uncertain origin

Origin of boo1

First recorded in 1630–40; expressive formation

Origin of boo1

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.

At times during the match against Manchester United there was a tense atmosphere from the home crowd, with boos heard at the final whistle.

From BBC

In 2019, he attended Game 5 of the World Series in Washington D.C., where he was resoundingly booed.

From Los Angeles Times

And there were some boos at the final whistle - although Arteta put those down to the "demands and expectation" that comes with challenging for the title.

From BBC

It only seems like five minutes ago since the boos at Ibrox could be heard in all corners of the country, where laughter was the dominant noise.

From BBC

After reaching her first Australian Open fourth round, 31-year-old Putintseva turned to the vocal crowd and placed her hand to her ear, a gesture that immediately drew a chorus of boos.

From Barron's

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.