boo

Everyday

1. «Boo!» is what you shout to make someone jump or get a fright. tree →
2. To boo is to shout «boo» to show you don't like a performer, player or speaker. tree →
3. A boo is a sound of dislike from a crowd. tree →
4. Boo can be a pet name for someone you love (informal). tree →
5. Boo-hoo is the sound a person makes when crying loudly. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and stories children jump out and shout «Boo!» in games, especially at Halloween; ghosts in cartoons say «Boo». At pantomimes in the UK, audiences boo the villain as part of the fun. At sports matches crowds sometimes boo; in social lessons pupils learn that booing someone can be unkind. Phrase: «wouldn't say boo to a goose» means very shy.

Examples

• He jumped out from behind the door and shouted «Boo!» tree →
• The audience booed the wicked stepmother in the pantomime. tree →
• Fans booed when the referee gave a penalty. tree →
• My little brother is so shy he wouldn't say boo to a goose. tree →
• The ghost in the cartoon said «Boo!» tree →
• Please don't boo the other team. tree →
• Bimeby ole Brer Bull-frog, he sorter stop his cryin' en his boo-hooin', en he up'n say: tree →

Note

Regular verb: booed, booing. Plural noun: boos. Opposite of booing: cheering, clapping. «Boo-hoo» is the sound of crying. «Peekaboo» is a baby game.