beau

Everyday

1. (old-fashioned) A beau is a boyfriend or a man who is courting a woman. tree →
2. (French) Beau is a French adjective meaning «beautiful» or «handsome» (masculine form), as in «beau temps» (fine weather); it sounds like English «bow» (the knot) or «bo». tree →
3. Beau can also be a boy's name (a name). tree →

In the lessons

In old novels and historical stories, a young woman's «beau» is the man who wants to marry her. In French lessons, «beau» describes a handsome boy or nice weather: «Il fait beau» means «The weather is fine». Phrases: «her beau», «Il fait beau» (French).

Examples

• In the old story, Lizzie waited for her beau at the dance. tree →
• Aunt Sue's new beau brought her flowers. tree →
• In French, «Il fait beau» means «It's a nice day». tree →
• «Un beau chien» is French for «a handsome dog». tree →
• Beau is the name of the boy next door. tree →
• Grandma laughed and called Grandpa her old beau. tree →

Note

Pronounced «boh», like «bow» (the ribbon). English plural is «beaux» (also said «bohz») or «beaus». In French, the feminine form is «belle», and before a vowel it becomes «bel». Old-fashioned in English; today people say «boyfriend».