What does beau mean?
A beau is a woman's boyfriend or male admirer, particularly in the context of formal or old-fashioned courtship. The word also denotes a dandy — a man who takes conspicuous care with his clothes and appearance. Borrowed from French, where "beau" means "beautiful" or "handsome," it entered English in the seventeenth century and flourished during the era of balls, calling cards, and chaperoned visits. Today the word sounds distinctly vintage: describing someone as "her devoted beau" suggests romance conducted with a degree of formality and charm that modern terms like "boyfriend" lack. The plural may be the anglicized "beaus" or the French-derived "beaux." Though rare in everyday speech now, "beau" survives in literature, period drama, and playful usage, where its elegant connotations make it a stylish choice for writers seeking a touch of old-world romance.
A woman's boyfriend, sweetheart, or male admirer.
"Her beau escorted her to the summer dance."
Old-fashioned and romantic in tone; often used playfully today.
A man who is notably fastidious about his dress and appearance; a dandy.
"He was known as the leading beau of Regency London."
Historical flavor; strongly associated with the 18th and 19th centuries.
Both plurals are accepted; "beaux" preserves the French spelling and is favored in formal or literary contexts, while "beaus" is the natural anglicized choice.
"The ballroom was crowded with beaux eager to claim a dance."
The plural isn't 'beaus' when you're being fancy — it's 'beaux', straight from the French, because English borrowed not just the word but the whole idea of the fashionable suitor.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of beau
"Beau" comes directly from the French adjective beau meaning "beautiful" or "handsome," which descends from the Latin bellus, meaning "pretty" or "charming." English adopted the word in the early seventeenth century, first using it for a fashionable, well-dressed man before extending it to a woman's suitor. It shares its Latin root with words such as "beauty," "beautiful," and "embellish," as well as with the feminine French borrowing "belle."
Related word forms
How beau is actually used
"Beau" carries an old-fashioned, romantic, and slightly formal flavor; it evokes 18th- and 19th-century courtship more than modern dating. The anglicized plural "beaus" is common, while "beaux" preserves the French form. As an adjective before a noun (as in "beau ideal"), it is a separate borrowing from French.
Easily confused with beau
'Beau' is a boyfriend or dandy pronounced /boʊ/, while 'bow' (pronounced the same way) is a ribbon knot or a bending of the head, and in another sense a weapon or its front of a ship.