boo-boo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
low-mediuminformal, childish, or affectionate; can be used humorously by adults.
Quick answer
What does “boo-boo” mean?
A minor injury, typically a small cut, scrape, or bruise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A minor injury, typically a small cut, scrape, or bruise; a childish or euphemistic term for such an injury.
A mistake, especially one that is considered trivial, silly, or embarrassing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally understood and used in both varieties, though possibly more culturally embedded in US media (children's TV).
Connotations
Strong connotation of child's language, parental comfort, or gentle mockery.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, especially in familial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “boo-boo” in a Sentence
SUBJ + have/get + a boo-boo (injury)SUBJ + make + a boo-boo (mistake)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boo-boo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's boo-booed his knee again.
- She boo-booed by sending the email to the wrong person.
American English
- I think I boo-booed on that last calculation.
- Don't worry, everyone boo-boos sometimes.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- It's just a boo-boo moment, nothing serious.
- He gave her a boo-boo smile after tripping.
American English
- She had a boo-boo lip after falling off her bike.
- We're in a bit of a boo-boo situation with the booking.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only used jokingly to refer to a minor, non-critical mistake.
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Common in family settings with young children; used humorously among adults for minor mishaps.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boo-boo”
- Using it for serious injuries or major professional errors, which sounds inappropriate.
- Overusing in adult conversation, which can seem excessively childish.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While coined for and most often used with children, adults use it humorously or affectionately to refer to trivial mistakes or minor injuries.
No, using it for a serious error minimizes its importance and sounds flippant or insensitive. It's for minor, often silly, errors.
The standard plural is 'boo-boos' (e.g., 'The child came home with several boo-boos').
The context makes the meaning clear. The injury sense is more literal and original. The mistake sense is a metaphorical extension, implying the mistake is as minor and forgivable as a child's scrape.
A minor injury, typically a small cut, scrape, or bruise.
Boo-boo is usually informal, childish, or affectionate; can be used humorously by adults. in register.
Boo-boo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbuː buː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbu ˌbu/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Kiss it better (for an injury boo-boo)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sounds like the crying sound a baby makes ('boo-hoo') when it gets hurt – a 'boo-boo' is what makes them go 'boo-hoo'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ERRORS ARE INJURIES / INJURIES ARE CHILDISH THINGS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'boo-boo' be LEAST appropriate?