—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
Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
After 10 years of boos, ‘VC SUCKS’ chants, and much, much more, the moment that helped turn the corner between Carter and the city of Toronto was when he was honored while playing for the Grizzlies in 2014.
—Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
She’s come a long way from being smitten by a guy who gets booed at conferences.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for boo 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Any update that had Trump leading inspired vigorous boos.
—Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
After 10 years of boos, ‘VC SUCKS’ chants, and much, much more, the moment that helped turn the corner between Carter and the city of Toronto was when he was honored while playing for the Grizzlies in 2014.
—Esfandiar Baraheni, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
Woods was described as a quarterback several times throughout this match, especially when he was being booed.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
She’s come a long way from being smitten by a guy who gets booed at conferences.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024
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 22 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share