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boo up

C1 slang inseparable intransitive

To enter into a romantic relationship with someone; to become someone's partner.

In plain English

To get a boyfriend or girlfriend and start dating them.

What does "boo up" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 C1 idiomatic slang

To enter into a romantic relationship with someone.

"They've been hanging out for months — I think they finally boo'd up over the holidays."

inseparable
2 C1 idiomatic slang

(Of a couple) To spend time together as a romantic pair, often cosily at home.

"Everyone's boo'd up staying in this winter while I'm here single and bored."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

'Boo' is slang for a romantic partner; 'boo up' means to pair yourself up with your boo.

Actually means

To get a boyfriend or girlfriend and start dating them.

Usage tip

African American vernacular English (AAVE); widely used in social media, hip-hop, and R&B contexts. 'Boo' is AAVE slang for a romantic partner or terms of endearment. 'Boo up' means to pair off with someone romantically. Has spread beyond AAVE communities through social media and music.

Words that pair with "boo up"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

with someone season winter together relationship

How to conjugate "boo up"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base
boo up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
boos up
he/she/it
Past simple
booed up
yesterday
Past participle
booed up
have + pp
-ing form
booing up
continuous

Hear "boo up" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "boo up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

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