beau
UK: bəʊ | US: boʊ
n. 1. A male admirer or sweetheart.
n. 2. A fashionable young man; a dandy.
The word "beau" is borrowed directly from French, where "beau" means "handsome" or "fine." It entered English in the late 17th century, initially used to describe a fashionable or elegant man, often one courting a lady. The French term traces back to Latin "bellus" (pretty, charming), which itself derives from "bonus" (good). Over time, "beau" in English narrowed to specifically denote a male admirer or a stylish gentleman, retaining its romantic and aesthetic connotations.
She introduced him as her latest beau at the party.
The young beau was always impeccably dressed.
In the 18th century, a beau would often carry a snuffbox as a fashion accessory.
Her letters revealed how much she missed her beau while he was away.
The novel’s protagonist is a charming beau who wins the heroine’s heart.