beau

noun

plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus

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.
Cabello wore a dark plaid suit, while her new beau sported a heather gray jacket and trousers with a black scarf. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 Chelsea and her older beau, Rick, who so far seem to have a healthy connection in The White Lotus season three. Jenna Ryu, SELF, 10 Mar. 2025 Berry and Hunt, meanwhile, have been together since 2020, and the actress even recently shared a sweet Instagram tribute to her beau on Valentine's Day. Jen Juneau, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 The Parks and Recreation alum, 53, showed up to the 2025 Oscars red carpet with her new beau for the first time on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 3 Mar. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Beau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beau. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

beau

noun
plural beaux ˈbōz How to pronounce beau (audio) or beaus
ˈbōz
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on beau

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