boba

American  

[boh-buh] / ˈboʊ bə /

noun

1. Also boba tea bubble tea.

2. (often used with a plural verb) large, round pearls of tapioca, usually boiled in a sweetened syrup and served in bubble tea.

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Etymology

Origin of boba

First recorded in 1995–2000; said to be from a dialectal Chinese source akin to Cantonese bo baa or Mandarin bōbà “tapioca pearl,” colloquially, “big-breasted woman,” equivalent to Cantonese bo “ball, breast” (from English ball ¹ ( def. ) ) + baa “overlord, tyrant”

Example Sentences

If you want to add boba or other types of toppings, or make it a protein-based drink, you can.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

A good example is putting boba on an energy drink.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

He hopes Mixue’s presence in the U.S. might raise the profile of boba here and encourage more people to “expand their palette” and try local shops.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2026

Earlier this month, the Asian American cafe, which sells boba and snacks — including a sandwich described by L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 24, 2026

We lean our heads forward to sip our drinks, lines of boba balls marching up the straws.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio