French word

boum

Pronunciation

IPA/bum/

Meaning

  • feminine nounparty

Example

On va à la boum ce soir.

We are going to the party tonight.

Illustration for boum (party)

More examples

Marie a organisé une boum surprise pour son ami.

Marie organized a surprise party for her friend.

Core concept

An informal house gathering that feels like a sudden, cheerful burst of music and dancing.

Common phrases

  • une boum surprise

    a surprise party

  • une boum chez moi

    a party at my place

Similar words

fête: A party held by friends or family to celebrate.
soirée: A social gathering or party held in the evening.
teuf: A slang term for a noisy party among young people.

Definition in French

Fête informelle, souvent entre jeunes, caractérisée par de la musique, de la danse et de l'ambiance conviviale.

Word origin

Boum is an onomatopoeia for a bang or explosion, later used in French for a noisy and lively informal party.

Usage tips

  • Depending on context, boum can still mean a bang, so une boum identifies the party sense through its feminine article.

Other meanings

  • boominterjection
  • bangnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word