[buː], (Interjection)

Definitions:
- said suddenly to surprise someone who is unaware of one's presence
(e.g: ‘Boo!’ she cried, jumping up to frighten him)

- said to show disapproval or contempt
(e.g: ‘There's only one bar.’ ‘Boo!’)


Phrases:
- wouldn't say boo to a goose

Origin:
mid 17th century (in the phrase say boo to a goose): imitative; probably an alteration of earlier bo, used in the same way since the 16th century

[buː], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an utterance of ‘boo’ to show disapproval of a speaker or performer
(e.g: the audience greeted this comment with boos and hisses)


Phrases:
- wouldn't say boo to a goose

Origin:
mid 17th century (in the phrase say boo to a goose): imitative; probably an alteration of earlier bo, used in the same way since the 16th century

[buː], (Verb)

Definitions:
- say ‘boo’ to show disapproval of a speaker or performer
(e.g: they booed and hissed when he stepped on stage)


Phrases:
- wouldn't say boo to a goose

Origin:
mid 17th century (in the phrase say boo to a goose): imitative; probably an alteration of earlier bo, used in the same way since the 16th century

[buː], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a person's boyfriend or girlfriend
(e.g: got a call this morning from my boo)


Phrases:

Origin:
1980s: origin uncertain; perhaps from boo, a term of endearment, or perhaps originally a nursery word meaning ‘child’, or perhaps an alteration of French beau ‘boyfriend, male admirer’