—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 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
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
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
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025
Bobby is working as a successful sushi chef in Dallas — the news of which elicited a chorus of boos from the loyal Austin crowd.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 31 May 2025
Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
In Boise, people argued, cheered, hurled insults and booed during the City Council’s May 6 meeting to make the Pride flag official.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for boo
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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Interjection
Williams also recalled witnessing the Super Bowl crowd boo Taylor Swift when she was shown on the jumbotron cheering on her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
The comments drew a mix of boos and cheers from the crowd.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025
Bobby is working as a successful sushi chef in Dallas — the news of which elicited a chorus of boos from the loyal Austin crowd.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 31 May 2025
Verb
In fact, the pen’s performance was offensive to Atlanta fans who booed their team off the field after the ninth inning at Truist Park Thursday.
—Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
In Boise, people argued, cheered, hurled insults and booed during the City Council’s May 6 meeting to make the Pride flag official.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for boo
Cite this Entry
“Boo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boo. Accessed 10 Jun. 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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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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