beau

noun

1. 1

   datedA man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop.

   [H]e could not but turn with ineffable contempt to the tawdry beaus and belles from the city, who presumed to mingle in the fashionable gala.

2. 2

   datedA male lover; a boyfriend.

   Hannah's beau takes all her time 'n' thought, and when she gits a husband her mother'll be out o' sight and out o' mind.

   “I don’t see how. But anyhow, you’ll be rich some day—your Aunt Elizabeth will likely leave you all her money, Mother says. So I don’t care if you are living on charity—I love you and I’m going to stick up for you. Have you got a beau, Emily?” “No,” cried Emily, blushing violently and quite scandalized at the idea. “Why, I’m only eleven.”

   Kristin Davis has taken time out to enjoy the surf and sand with her Australian beau, photographer Russell James.

   Reporters ask her about her love life—her current beau is rumored to be Conor Kennedy, a grandson of Robert F. Kennedy—even if they get nowhere.

3. 3

   A male escort.

4. 4

   A suitor of a lady.

verb

1. 1

   To act as a beau (towards); to court or woo.

   “[…] And now to think that Laura’s teaching school, and Almanzo Wilder’s beauing her home.” ”Oh, no! He isn’t!” Laura cried out. “It isn’t like that at all. He came for me as a favor to Pa.”

   Everyone was feeling grandacious, as if getting dressed for a night of beauing.

Forms

plural

beaux, beaus

past tense

beaued

past participle

beaued

present participle

beauing

third person singular

beaus