boyfriend

American  

[boi-frend] / ˈbɔɪˌfrɛnd /

noun

1. a frequent or favorite male companion; beau.

2. a male friend.

3. a male lover.

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adjective

1. 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.

boyfriend British  

/ ˈbɔɪˌfrɛnd /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of boyfriend

First recorded in 1895–1900; boy + friend

Explanation

A boyfriend is a male romantic partner. Your cousin might ask if she can bring her boyfriend to the family Thanksgiving dinner this year. Usually, your boyfriend is a boy or man you're romantically involved with. Your aunt might join a dating site after breaking up with her boyfriend, and your ten year old neighbor might announce she has a boyfriend after a boy leaves a candy bar on her desk. The words boyfriend and girlfriend first appeared in the early 1900s, around the start of modern dating in the US.

Example Sentences

Oliver says the characterisation of Hannah's boyfriend Garrett is "refreshing" and "such a strength of the show".

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Chole Baugh and her boyfriend, Joe Ford, are working on the left shin of the Giant.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

But Pratt got a second shot at reality fame on the MTV show “The Hills,” rising to prominence as the boyfriend — now husband— of Heidi Montag.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

I attended high school there and had the cutest boyfriend.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

I bet feeling good about yourself for being brave feels tons better than something silly like having a boyfriend.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

Related Words

• beau
• companion
• friend
• partner
• suitor
• sweetheart
• young man