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 WynneExamples 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
ABC News, 6 June 2026
On college campuses, commencement speakers have been interrupted by boos when discussing artificial intelligence.
—Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 5 June 2026
Mary Ramsey
updated June 8, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for boo
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show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
On college campuses, commencement speakers have been interrupted by boos when discussing artificial intelligence.
—ABC News, 6 June 2026
On college campuses, commencement speakers have been interrupted by boos when discussing artificial intelligence.
—Joey Cappelletti, Fortune, 5 June 2026
Verb
The same crowd booed when council members mentioned the growing popularity of artificial intelligence.
—Mary Ramsey
updated June 8, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
The erstwhile New York resident was loudly and vigorously booed by the hometown crowd as he was shown on the jumbotron of the legendary arena.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for boo
Cite this Entry
“Boo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boo. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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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