boo — An exclamation used to startle or surprise someone
Part of speech: INTERJECTION
Definition: An exclamation used to startle or surprise someone
Pronunciation (IPA): /buː/
Example Sentences
- My cat doesn't even say boo when strangers visit - she's too lazy to care
- The singer forgot the lyrics and got booed so hard, even her mom joined in
- He's so shy he wouldn't say boo to a mosquito, let alone ask for a raise
boo
INTERJECTION[/buː/]
An exclamation used to startle or surprise someone
The crowd loudly boo the villain stepping onto the theater stage.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Boo is an onomatopoeia that emerged in the 16th century, originally imitating the sound used to startle or frighten someone. The word later evolved to express disapproval or opposition, becoming a sound of jeering or booing at performances and public events.
Breakdown
Boo derives from onomatopoeia (imitative word formation) that mimics a sudden, startling sound. The word has no morphological prefix or suffix structure, consisting entirely of the imitative root.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My cat doesn't even say boo when strangers visit - she's too lazy to care”
“The singer forgot the lyrics and got booed so hard, even her mom joined in”
“He's so shy he wouldn't say boo to a mosquito, let alone ask for a raise”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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