boyfriend

boy-friend · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A male romantic partner with whom someone has a relationship but is not married.

  2. 2.

    (dated) A male friend.

Forms

plural: boyfriends

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    boyfriend material — someone who would make a good romantic partner
  • •
    ex-boyfriend — a former boyfriend
  • •
    on-again, off-again boyfriend — a boyfriend in an unstable relationship

Related words

Antonyms: ex-boyfriend, girlfriend
See also: dating, girlfriend, partner, relationship
Synonyms: beau, partner, significant other, sweetheart

Etymology

A compound word formed in English from boy (from Middle English boi) and friend (from Old English frēond, meaning "lover, friend"). First attested in the early 20th century to specifically mean a male romantic partner.