Boo-boo

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /ˈbuːˌbuː/

Origin

• Possibly from bug-a-boo, an imaginary evil goblin.
• Possibly from bubo, a swollen lymph node especially obvious in sufferers of bubonic plague.
• Possibly from the sound a baby or young toddler might make.

Alternative forms

• booboo, boo boo

Full definition of boo-boo

Noun

1. (colloquial, often childish) A mistake or error.
2. (colloquial, childish, by or to young children) A minor injury, such as a cut or a bruise.

Synonyms

• (error) blooper, blunder, faux pas, fluff, gaffe, lapse, slip, stumble, thinko
• (minor injury) owie, scrape, bruise, nick, scratch

Usage notes

Sometimes used sarcastically when the speaker believes the listener is overreacting to a very minor injury, as in Aw, did the little boy get a boo-boo?