booby
C1Informal; one sense is vulgar slang.
Definition
Meaning
A foolish or inept person.
1. Any of several tropical seabirds of the genus Sula, having a stout body and long pointed wings. 2. A slang term for a woman's breast (vulgar/slang). 3. The last-place finisher in a competition or game.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term operates on a spectrum from mildly humorous/archaic (fool) to overtly coarse (slang for breast). The 'fool' sense is often seen in historical or literary contexts or fixed phrases. The ornithological sense is standard and neutral.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The vulgar slang sense is common in both varieties. The 'fool' sense may sound slightly more archaic in AmE. The term 'booby prize' (prize for last place) is equally known.
Connotations
In both, the primary modern association for many speakers is the vulgar slang, which strongly colors other uses.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. The vulgar slang sense is likely the most frequently encountered in informal spoken contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be a ~call someone a ~win the ~ prizeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “booby prize”
- “booby trap”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in specific fields (e.g., ornithology for the bird).
Everyday
Used informally, primarily as vulgar slang or in fixed phrases like 'booby trap'.
Technical
In military/security contexts: 'booby trap' (an explosive device). In ornithology: refers to the bird species.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No standard verb use.
American English
- No standard verb use.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival use.
American English
- No standard adjectival use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He felt like a booby for forgetting his keys.
- The blue-footed booby is a funny-looking bird.
- I won the booby prize in the raffle—a pair of old socks.
- The soldiers were careful not to trigger a booby trap.
- The classic comedy often featured a clever servant outwitting a pompous booby.
- Her risqué joke contained a playful double entendre using the word 'booby'.
- The politician's gaffe made him look a perfect booby in the eyes of the press.
- The film's title was a clever pun, referencing both the bird and the slang term.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'booby' bird being clumsy on land, hence appearing foolish. A 'booby trap' catches the unwary 'booby' (fool).
Conceptual Metaphor
FOLLY IS CLUMSINESS / LACK OF AWARENESS (caught in a trap, clumsy bird).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бублик' (bublik - bagel).
- The vulgar sense is direct, but the 'fool' sense has no perfect single equivalent; 'простофиля' or 'болван' are close but not identical in register.
- 'Booby trap' is 'мина-ловушка' or 'западня', not related to the vulgar body part.
Common Mistakes
- Using the 'fool' sense in formal writing.
- Misspelling as 'boobie'.
- Assuming it is always vulgar; it has multiple distinct meanings.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'booby' considered technical and neutral?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the sense. Referring to the seabird is neutral. Calling someone a 'booby' (fool) is old-fashioned and mildly insulting. The slang for a breast is considered vulgar.
A concealed device designed to harm or surprise a person who triggers it. It's a standard term in military and security contexts, unrelated to the vulgar meaning.
'Booby' is the standard spelling for all meanings. 'Boobie' is a common misspelling, often associated with the vulgar slang sense.
Generally, no, due to its informal or vulgar connotations. The exception is in technical writing (ornithology for the bird, military science for 'booby trap').