beau

noun

ˈbō How to pronounce beau (audio)
plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus
Synonyms of beaunext
1
: dandy sense 1
2
: boyfriend sense 1

Synonyms of beau

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Examples of beau in a Sentence

Her beaux between marriage generally fell into two categories: ineffectual pretty boys or handsome brutes. —Joanne Kaufman, People, 21 Mar. 1988
This was essentially the vehicle that had been perfected, through more than a century or two, for—and by—a continuing line of fops, beaux, macaronis, dudes, bucks, blades, swells, bloods and mashers. —Osbert Sitwell, The Scarlet Tree, 1975
She introduced us to her latest beau. her new beau brought flowers when he picked her up for their first date
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And, when Malika’s dentist beau sends her flowers, Khloé opines (over FaceTime, naturally) that the bouquet is too small and therefore cheap. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Timothée Chalamet, who is 30, and Kylie Jenner have been together for at least three years, but that doesn't mean Jenner is giving into any societal pressures to start a family with her beau. — Marzia Nicolini, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026 As bald eagle fans around the world mourn the death of Jackie, her longtime mate Shadow has been spotted with a possible new beau in Southern California. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Sara Howe, a carriage driving trainer who often sees Louise and her beau at competitions, told Hello! — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for beau

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from beau, bel (masculine), belle (feminine) "beautiful, good-looking," going back to Old French bel, going back to Latin bellus, probably going back (via *duellos, assimilated from *duenlos) to *dwenelos, diminutive of *dwe-nos "good" (whence Old Latin duenos, Latin bonus) — more at bounty

First Known Use

1653, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beau was in 1653

Phrases Containing beau

Rhymes for beau

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Cite this Entry

“Beau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beau. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Etymology

from French beau "boyfriend," from beau (adjective) "fine, beautiful," derived from Latin bellus "pretty" — related to beauty, belle

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