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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.

Loud boos rang around Stadium Court 2 as the decision was announced, with Draper slipping to 0-30 on serve.

From BBC

It shoots into the outfield for a single, and the man in front of us yells, “Why would you pitch that guy up and in? Terrible pitch selection. Terrible!” and his kid boos some more.

From Literature

During the anthem, which they do not recognise, they booed and jeered.

From BBC

As in normal years, worshippers booed and waved noisemakers each time the story's antagonist, Haman, was announced, before drinking and dancing to pop music despite the unusual setting.

From Barron's

“Pretty in Pink” originally concluded with Andie and Duckie together, sharing a dance at the prom, which test audiences disliked so much that they booed the screen.

From Salon

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.