—used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten
plural boos
1
: a shout of disapproval or contempt
2
: any utterance at all
—usually used in negative constructions
never said boo
booed; booing; boos
: to deride especially by uttering a prolonged boo
: to express disapproval of by booing
the crowd booed the referee
plural boos
US slang
: a romantic partner : sweetheart, honey
Your parents might keep a sharp eye on potential partners and your besties may lay down difficult "friend tests," but only one real opinion on your new boo truly matters: what your dog thinks of them.—
Jaime Lees
Jaime LeesThis has left me skeptical of all new relationships—including my new boo.—Griffin Wynne
Griffin WynneSynonyms
Examples of boo in a Sentence
Noun (1)
A chorus of boos was heard after the shot missed the goal.
The announcement was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers.
Verb
Many people in the crowd booed when the announcement was made.
Many people in the crowd booed the announcement, but a few people cheered it.
Recent Examples on the Web
Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
Volunteer yourself to help with X, Y and Z accommodations if that lightens the family’s workload, without saying boo about the couple’s choices.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024
Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
While initially met with cheers, the young singer was soon drowned out by boos that echoed throughout the arena.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
In Toronto, many Raptors fans booed the US national anthem ahead of the team’s 115-121 defeat to the New York Knicks.
—Jamie Barton, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for boo 
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Interjection
Highlights include a costume parade (for kids and parents), a Purim story and boo Haman and songs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2024
Volunteer yourself to help with X, Y and Z accommodations if that lightens the family’s workload, without saying boo about the couple’s choices.
—Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 18 Jan. 2024
Noun
Listen to this article Once again, a Canadian fan base broke out in boos during the U.S. national anthem amid the ongoing tariff dispute between the countries.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
While initially met with cheers, the young singer was soon drowned out by boos that echoed throughout the arena.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
Instead of receiving the usual cheers, Hogan was loudly booed out of the building by the Los Angeles crowd.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
In Toronto, many Raptors fans booed the US national anthem ahead of the team’s 115-121 defeat to the New York Knicks.
—Jamie Barton, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for boo
Dictionary Entries Near boo
Cite this Entry
“Boo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boo. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
boo
1 of 2 interjection
—used to express contempt or disapproval or to startle or frighten
boo
2 of 2 noun
plural boos
1
: a shout of disapproval or contempt
2
: any sound at all
never said boo
boo
verb
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