English Explanatory Dictionary

beau

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop.
  2. A male lover; a boyfriend.
  3. A male escort.
  4. A suitor of a lady.
verb
  1. To act as a beau (towards); to court or woo.
name
  1. A male given name used since mid-twentieth century.

Pronunciation

/ˈbəʊ̯/ [ˈbəʊ̯] /ˈbɵʊ̯/ [ˈbɵ̞ʊ̯] en-uk-beau.ogg /ˈboʊ̯/ [ˈboʊ̯] /ˈbɔʊ̯/ [ˈbɔʊ̯] /bəʊ/ /boʊ/

Word forms

beau beaux beaus beauing beaued

Etymology

From Middle English beau, beu, bew, bewe, from Old French beau, from Latin bellus (“beautiful”). Doublet of bello and boo.

Synonyms

blood popinjay barbermonger beau blade buck carpet knight cockscomb dandy dike dood dude dudelet exquisite fashionable fast man fine gentleman fop foretop fribble gallant go jack-a-dandy Jemmy-Jessamy jetter macaroni masher metrosexual mignon petit maître pretty boy prig puss-gentleman smart spark spiff swell tippy toff suitor swain admirer adorer baby beloved courter crush darling enamorado flame follower leman loteby love love interest lover paramour sparker sweetheart truelove

Related words

beau geste beau idéal beau ideal beau-ideal beau joueur beau monde beau monde seasoning beau sabreur beautiful Bo

Derived words

beau-catcher beauish beauism beauless beauship beautillion unbeaued
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