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British

boyfriend

[ boi-frend ]

/ ˈbɔɪˌfrɛnd /

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See synonyms for boyfriend on Thesaurus.com

noun

a frequent or favorite male companion; beau.

a male friend.

a male lover.

adjective

pertaining to or noting clothing and accessories for women that are inspired by men's fashions: roomy and comfortable boyfriend jeans;an oversize boyfriend watch.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of boyfriend

First recorded in 1895–1900; boy + friend

Words nearby boyfriend

boycott, Boyd, Boyd Orr, Boyer, boyf, boyfriend, boyhood, boyish, boykie, boyla, Boyle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use boyfriend in a sentence

Dorris says she was visiting New York City with her then-boyfriend Jason Binn, who introduced her to Trump.
Former model Amy Dorris says President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her|Li Zhou|September 17, 2020|Vox
During this appointment, Alice shared that her boyfriend at the time had beaten her up the night before.
D.C. study documents ‘Life and Death’ of trans woman Alice Carter|Lou Chibbaro Jr.|September 2, 2020|Washington Blade
Daysi Lizeth Mina Huamán was last seen waiting for a bus on January 26, on her way to meet her boyfriend after voting in Peru’s congressional elections and filing a report for television broadcaster Cable VRAEM in the central city of Ayacucho.
These 10 journalists are missing, and COVID is impeding investigations|lbelanger225|September 1, 2020|Fortune
With the help of her leasing manager boyfriend, Roosevelt, the Chicago fashionista takes virtual tours of potential new apartments with some stunning views.
How to House Hunt Safely|Nick Fouriezos|August 18, 2020|Ozy

Tweet about how your good-looking, dog-loving boyfriend encouraged you to have a Netflix-bingeing Sunday.
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The star announces he is to marry his 27-year-old boyfriend.
Meet Stephen Fry’s Future Husband (Who Is Less Than Half His Age)|Tom Sykes|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She ultimately ditched JSwipe after about a week and found her current, non-Jewish, boyfriend on OkCupid.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Tommy describes himself as more of the “boyfriend experience.”
Career-Minded Women Turn to Male Escorts For No-Strings Fun and (Maybe) Sex|Aurora Snow|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One night in 2004, my college boyfriend called me from inside a closet in a north Toronto housing project.
Bobby Shmurda and Rap’s Ultimate Hoop Dream|Rawiya Kameir|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, her boyfriend, Jason Anderson, said Craig-Lewis was “all consumed” by her job.
The Mystery Death Of A Female Firefighter|Christopher Moraff|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for boyfriend

boyfriend

/ (ˈbɔɪˌfrɛnd) /

noun

a male friend with whom a person is romantically or sexually involved; sweetheart or lover

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