boo

[buː]

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A "boo" is an expression used to scare someone lightly, often by shouting it suddenly. It can also mean something that seems spooky or eerie.

When we say "boo," we usually use it to startle a friend or family member. It's like a playful way of saying "aha!" or "surprise!" Imagine you're walking with your friends and they jump out at you from behind a corner shouting "boo." You might laugh and be surprised, but not really scared. Sometimes, people say "that's so boo" when something seems a bit strange or spooky. It's like saying "what's that?" or "I don't know what to make of this."

How common is "boo"?

Word boo is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

A derisive shout made to indicate disapproval.

verb

To shout extended boos derisively.
Example: When he took the podium, the crowd booed.
To shout extended boos at, as a form of derision.
Example: The protesters loudly booed the visiting senator.

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cheer

interjection

A loud exclamation intended to scare someone, especially a child. Usually used when one has been hidden from the victim and then suddenly appeared unexpectedly.
Used ironically in a situation where one had the opportunity to scare someone by speaking suddenly.
An exclamation used by a member or many members of an audience, as at a stage play or sports game, to indicate derision or disapproval of what has just occurred.

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