boo-boo

[ boo-boo ]

noun

, Slang.

, plural boo-boos.

1. a minor injury; owie:

   My dad was doing dishes and kissing boo-boos way back in the 1960s.

2. a stupid or silly mistake; blunder:

   Even people with loads of sewing experience make boo-boos when creating a piece!

   Synonyms: slip-up, slip, screwup, goof, fumble, fluff, flub

boo-boo

noun

1. informal.
   an embarrassing mistake; blunder

Word History and Origins

Origin of boo-boo¹

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55; baby talk

Word History and Origins

Origin of boo-boo¹

C20: perhaps from nursery talk; compare boohoo

Example Sentences

Widely ridiculed on social media for his lack of knowledge, Mr Harris apologised for what he described as an "awful boo-boo".

From BBC

And be clear that the illness is called cancer — not a “boo-boo” or a sickness.

From Seattle Times

It might be your internet company’s fault, a boo-boo with your home equipment or interference from your neighbor’s Call of Duty game night.

From Washington Post

He has two boys, ages 4 and 2, who Davenport said don’t really understand their father is missing most of a finger but do ask if he has a “boo-boo” on his hand.

From Seattle Times

Some attestation forms seem impractical, requiring parents to interview their pre-school-age children about their health, when some that age can’t distinguish between a boo-boo and a sore throat.

From New York Times