boyfriend

USAGE SUMMARY

"boyfriend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the male partner in a romantic relationship. Example: My boyfriend cooked dinner for me last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I kept asking for my boyfriend who was in the waiting room, and they just didn't bring him back.

The Guardian

There are people who want antidepressants because 'the boyfriend left me'".

The Guardian

The campaign included a video featuring Barbie's long-term boyfriend Ken dumping her when he discovered she was involved in deforestation.

The Guardian

My boyfriend and I have lived on our motor sailor for years, yet had to enlist the help of an able seaman for our one trip out of the marina - and that was to move home.

The Guardian - Travel

See also: Trees Lounge, Cheech And Chong's Nice Dreams, Comfort And Joy Don't see also: Phantasm Pointless trivia: Chloe Sevigny acted as costume designer on her then boyfriend Harmony Korine's Gummo (1997).

The Guardian - Film

That's because when "boyfriend" clothes are photographed in magazines, stylists do clever things, such as clip them in the back and pin up the hems to make them look a little better.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But perhaps the most interesting lesson to draw from the timeless story that is Hadley Buys a Coat (truly, it will be studied by scholars for centuries) is that boyfriends don't like boyfriend clothes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Lou Shapiro, an attorney for Watts and her boyfriend, said the actress would apologize for her comments to police.

The Guardian

Episode six opens with the horrific image of Omar's boyfriend Brandon, his face and body sickeningly mutilated, stretched out across the bonnet of a car, to Wallace and – to a lesser extent – D'Angelo's evident discomfort.

The Guardian

Both Boreman and Traynor stated that Traynor wrote the first; Boreman said her later boyfriend David Winters, who isn't in the film, wrote the second.

The Guardian - Film

Your boyfriend is offering you both these incentives to get better.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boyfriend" when referring to a male partner in a non-marital romantic relationship. It's appropriate in most informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

In professional or very formal settings, consider using "male partner" or "significant other" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "boyfriend" is as a noun, identifying the male individual in a non-marital romantic relationship. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Examples in Ludwig show it in various contexts, from news reports to personal narratives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "boyfriend" is a commonly used noun to refer to a male partner in a romantic, non-marital relationship. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, as evidenced by the numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian. While generally acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives like "male partner" or "significant other" may be preferred in professional or academic settings. When writing, ensure "boyfriend" accurately conveys the relationship you intend to describe and that the level of formality matches your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Male partner

A general term, more formal and less personal than "boyfriend".

Significant other

A gender-neutral term applicable in various relationship contexts, suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Partner

A neutral term applicable to various relationships, including romantic ones.

Steady

Implies a committed, ongoing relationship.

Beau

An older, slightly archaic term suggesting a romantic connection.

Manfriend

A playful, less common alternative to "boyfriend".

Gentleman friend

A more formal and old-fashioned way to describe a boyfriend.

Lover

Suggests a more intense or passionate relationship.

Date

Someone you are seeing romantically, but not necessarily in a committed relationship.

Suitor

Someone who is actively pursuing a romantic relationship.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "boyfriend"?

You can use alternatives like "male partner", "significant other", or "beau" depending on the context.

Is "boyfriend" formal or informal?

"Boyfriend" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, using "male partner" might be more appropriate.

How do I use "boyfriend" in a sentence?

You can use "boyfriend" to refer to the male partner in a romantic relationship. For example, "My boyfriend and I are going to the movies tonight."

What's the difference between "boyfriend" and "friend"?

"Friend" refers to a platonic relationship, while "boyfriend" specifically indicates a romantic relationship.