beau

noun

plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus

Examples of beau in a Sentence

Her beaux between marriage generally fell into two categories: ineffectual pretty boys or handsome brutes. Joanne Kaufman, People, 21 Mar. 1988
This was essentially the vehicle that had been perfected, through more than a century or two, for—and by—a continuing line of fops, beaux, macaronis, dudes, bucks, blades, swells, bloods and mashers. Osbert Sitwell, The Scarlet Tree, 1975
She introduced us to her latest beau. her new beau brought flowers when he picked her up for their first date
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Jenner has consistently supported her auteur beau’s press tour for his Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown—including the awards circuit. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2025 Jenner also attended the afterparty of the Los Angeles A Complete Unknown premiere in December, mingling with her beau’s co-stars and leaving the function with him hand-in-hand. Esther Kang, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025 Harlow, 30, and her NBA star beau Kyle Kuzma, 29, revealed in an exclusive interview with Vogue, published Tuesday, that they got engaged during a romantic trip to Turks and Caicos. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025 The 29-year-old boxer and her 46-year-old beau took a baecation to Hawaii to commemorate the long weekend, where the rapper also held the inaugural Hawaii Fest alongside YG Marley, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Sean Paul, Kamiayah, CuhDeeJah, and more. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for beau

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from beau, bel (masculine), belle (feminine) "beautiful, good-looking," going back to Old French bel, going back to Latin bellus, probably going back (via *duellos, assimilated from *duenlos) to *dwenelos, diminutive of *dwe-nos "good" (whence Old Latin duenos, Latin bonus) — more at bounty

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beau was in 1653

Cite this Entry

“Beau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beau. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

beau

noun
plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus
ˈbōz
Etymology

from French beau "boyfriend," from beau (adjective) "fine, beautiful," derived from Latin bellus "pretty" — related to beauty, belle

More from Merriam-Webster on beau

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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