A boyfriend, romantic partner, or male admirer; can also mean an elegant or fashionable man.
From French 'beau' meaning 'beautiful' or 'fine,' derived from Latin 'bellus' (beautiful). Borrowed into English in the 1600s to refer to an attractive male suitor or companion.
In the 1800s, having multiple 'beaus' competing for your attention was so common among wealthy young women that it was a normal part of courtship—the word captures a specific romantic tradition that barely exists anymore.
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