Boyfriend Meaning
/ˈbɔɪˌfɹɛnd/Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA male partner in an unmarried romantic relationship.
nounA male friend.
Sentence Examples
No, he's not my new boyfriend.
Mary always assists her boyfriend in doing his assignments.
CEFR Practice Quiz
My friend Sarah introduced me to her new ____ at the party yesterday.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She introduced her new ____ to her family during the dinner tonight.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰā- Proto-Germanic *bō- Proto-West Germanic *bōjō Old English *bōia Middle English boye English boy Proto-Indo-European *preyH- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *priHós Proto-Germanic *frijōną Proto-Germanic *frijōndz Proto-West Germanic *friund Old English frēond Middle English frend English friend English boyfriend From boy + friend.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go / I can take you places you ain’t never been before."
— 2012, “Boyfriend”, performed by Justin Bieber:
"Referring to someone as your boyfriend or girlfriend suggests several things about your relationship, said Leah Carey, a sex and relationship coach and podcast host of “Good Girls Talk About Sex.”"
— 2024 October 24, Jocelyn Solis-Moreira, “More straight couples are calling each other partner. Here’s why”, in CNN, archived from the original on 10 Feb 2025:
"Whether he’s interested in the latest tech, takes pride in his personal style or loves spending his free time in the gym, these meaningful gifts for boyfriends are sure to win his heart all over again."
— 2024 December 17, Ellen McAlpine and Noelle Ike, “The 58 best gifts for boyfriends in 2025”, in CNN, archived from the original on 29 Jan 2025:
"3- the cutie pie, shadiah , the turk beaut who impoverished actor @imad Hemdi (of ikhmeem, upper egypt) when married together, who cost fereed il etresh his voice, when boyfriending her, who now is miT TereHa=veiled ( thanks 2 sheikh she@rawi ) :"
— 1996 February 23, Al Aab - CNED/W94, “. dr. love”, in soc.culture.egyptian (Usenet), archived from the original on 06 Dec 2025:
"That says the boyfriend WAS an NPC Promoter/Judge AT THE TIME he was 'boyfriending' her, and she was SIXTEEN."
— 2001 April 20, Nick Gravel, “Julie Strain flicks?”, in alt.amazon-women.admirers (Usenet), archived from the original on 06 Dec 2025:
Explore More A1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
My friend Sarah introduced me to her new ____ at the party yesterday.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She introduced her new ____ to her family during the dinner tonight.