boyfriend

boyfriend — noun

1. the man or older boy someone is seeing as a romantic partner, not only as a frie

1.nounA2
Definition

the man or older boy someone is seeing as a romantic partner, not only as a friend.

Example

Noa introduced her boyfriend to her parents over dinner.

possessive + boyfriend for a steady partner

There was a photo of Mei and her boyfriend on the desk.

there is + boyfriend in a scene description

Common collocations
  • new boyfriend
  • long-distance boyfriend
  • ex-boyfriend
  • boyfriend and girlfriend
  • boyfriend's parents
Synonyms
  • partner

    broader and more gender-neutral; often sounds more adult or serious

  • date

    less fixed; can mean someone you go out with only once or a few times

  • lover

    more intimate or literary; may stress sex or secrecy

  • significant other

    neutral and slightly formal; common when gender is not important

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

my/your/his/her boyfriend

[name]'s boyfriend

Usage Note

Usually used with a possessive or a person's name. In current everyday English, 'boyfriend' normally implies a romantic relationship, not simply a friend who is a boy.

Common Mistakes

Leo is my boyfriend from school, but we are not dating.
Leo is my male friend from school.
'boyfriend' usually means a romantic partner, not just a friend who is a boy.
My boyfriend and I got married ten years ago.
My husband and I got married ten years ago.
after marriage, English normally uses 'husband' instead of 'boyfriend'.

boyfriend — adjective

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Boyfriend' usually suggests an ongoing romantic relationship. 'Partner' is broader and more neutral: it can describe a serious relationship without focusing on gender, and it often sounds more adult or long-term. 'Date' is lighter and less committed; someone can be your date for one evening without being your boyfriend. 'Lover' is much more intimate and often literary, and it may suggest a sexual relationship or secrecy rather than everyday dating. If you are talking about a steady person you are seeing, 'boyfriend' is the natural word. You might say 'I'm bringing my boyfriend to dinner,' but 'I have a date on Friday' if the relationship is not established yet.

boyfriend ↗partner ↗date ↗lover ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

'Boyfriend' is a native English compound joining 'boy' and 'friend'. 'Friend' comes from Old English 'freond', while 'boy' is recorded from Middle English and has uncertain earlier roots. The compound first had the broad sense 'male friend', but modern everyday English narrowed it so the romantic meaning is now the normal one. The fashion adjective appeared much later from the noun, especially in shop language such as 'boyfriend jeans', where the idea is a loose cut that looks as if it came from a man's wardrobe.