boobs

IPA/buːb/
KK[bˈubz]IPA/buːb/

boobs — noun

  • boobssingular
  • boobsesplural

1. the two soft round parts on the front of a woman's body above her stomach, used

1.nounB2
Definition

the two soft round parts on the front of a woman's body above her stomach, used mainly in informal conversation

Example

Constanza complained that her new running bra did not support her boobs well enough.

collocation: support boobs

Layla told her sister that her boobs had grown bigger since the summer began.

Common collocations
  • big boobs
  • sore boobs
  • support boobs
Synonyms
  • breasts

    the standard, neutral term; appropriate in formal and medical contexts

  • chest

    broader term; refers to the whole upper front of the body, not specifically the breasts

Grammar Patterns

always plural when referring to body part

Usage Note

Commonly plural; the singular form (boob) is rare for the body-part sense and usually sounds awkward. Considered informal but not vulgar — used in everyday conversation.

Common Mistakes

She has large boob.
She has large boobs.
always use the plural form for the body part.
The doctor examined her boobs.' (in a formal medical context)
The doctor examined her breasts.
use 'breasts' in formal or medical settings.

2. a person who does or says things that show a lack of thought or intelligence, us

2.nounB2
Definition

a person who does or says things that show a lack of thought or intelligence, used as a mild insult

Example

Ravindra called himself a boob after he walked straight into the glass door.

reflexive: called himself a boob

Leo felt like a complete boob when he could not remember his own phone number.

collocation: a complete boob

Common collocations
  • a complete boob
  • a real boob
  • feel like a boob
Synonyms
  • fool

    more common and slightly stronger; can be used in both formal and informal settings

  • idiot

    stronger insult; harsher than boob

  • simpleton

    old-fashioned; describes someone who is not clever

Antonyms
  • genius

    someone with exceptional intelligence

Grammar Patterns

a + boob — used as a mild insult

Common Mistakes

You are boob.
You are a boob.
always use the article 'a'; boob is a countable noun.

3. an action or statement that is foolish or careless and causes embarrassment, esp

3.nounC1
Definition

an action or statement that is foolish or careless and causes embarrassment, especially in a social situation

Example

Heather made a real boob by sending the angry email straight to her manager.

collocation: make a real boob

The waiter made a boob when he brought fish to the customer allergic to seafood.

Common collocations
  • make a boob
  • a real boob
Synonyms
  • blunder

    more formal; a serious mistake rather than a minor silly one

  • gaffe

    a socially awkward remark or action, often used in public settings

Grammar Patterns

make + a boob

Usage Note

Used primarily in British English. The verb form 'to boob' is even more common in British English than the noun sense for 'silly mistake'.

boobs — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Boobs" is the most common informal word for a woman's breasts, used in everyday conversation among friends or in casual settings. "Breasts" is the neutral, formal term used in medical, anatomical, and polite contexts — you would use it with a doctor or in a health class. "Chest" is broader and gender-neutral, referring to the entire front area of the upper body; it is not specific to female anatomy. "Bust" is a more polite or euphemistic term, often used in fashion contexts (bust size, bust measurement). For example, a woman might tell a friend, "My boobs hurt after running," but tell her doctor, "I have pain in my breasts," and ask a shop assistant, "What bust size is this dress?"

breasts ↗chest ↗bust ↗

Etymology

SpanishEnglish

The word "boobs" likely comes from "boobies" (an old slang term for breasts), which may have originated from the Spanish word "bubí" or the Latin "bibulus" meaning 'drinking' — a reference to breastfeeding. The 'stupid person' and 'mistake' meanings probably came from an older sense of "booby" meaning a naive or foolish person, which itself came from the Spanish "bobo" meaning 'fool' or 'stupid'. The verb sense developed later from the noun meaning 'silly mistake'.

First known use

1907

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (2)