beau

/boʊ/

/bəʊ/

Other forms: beaux; beaus

A beau is an old-fashioned term for "boyfriend." When your great-grandmother was young, she probably had a beau.

Beau means "handsome" in French. Pronounce it the same way the French do, with a long o: "boh." The word recalls more innocent times, when gentleman courted their ladies and skirts barely rose above ankle level. You'll hardly ever hear beau used today, unless you're watching a movie, play or television drama set in the past.

Definitions of beau

1. noun

   a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
   synonyms: boyfriend, fellow, swain, young man

   type of:

   lover

   a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

   adult male, man

   an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
2. noun

   a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
   synonyms: clotheshorse, dandy, dude, fashion plate, fop, gallant, sheik, swell

   examples:

   George Bryan Brummell

   English dandy who was a fashion leader during the Regency (1778-1840)

   types:

   cockscomb, coxcomb

   a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments

   macaroni

   a British dandy in the 18th century who affected Continental mannerisms

   type of:

   adult male, man

   an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)