bossy

¹

[ baw-see, bos-ee ]

adjective

, boss·i·er, boss·i·est.

1. given to ordering people about; overly authoritative; domineering.

   Synonyms: abrasive, overbearing, dictatorial, officious, high-handed

bossy

²

[ baw-see, bos-ee ]

adjective

, boss·i·er, boss·i·est.

1. studded with knoblike or projecting parts.

bossy

³

[ bos-ee, baw-see ]

noun

, plural bos·sies.

1. a familiar name for a cow or calf.

bossy

¹

/ ˈbɒsɪ /

adjective

1. informal.
   domineering, overbearing, or authoritarian

bossy

²

/ ˈbɒsɪ /

adjective

1. (of furniture) ornamented with bosses

Derived Forms

• ˈbossiness, noun
• ˈbossily, adverb

Other Words From

• bossi·ly adverb
• bossi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bossy¹

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; boss ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of bossy²

First recorded in 1535–45; boss ² + -y ¹

Origin of bossy³

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; boss ³ + -y ²

Example Sentences

Police established he was a "womaniser, and arrogant and bossy".

From BBC

Some of these characters are bossy while remaining ambitious or what could even be considered cutthroat.

From Salon

Elsewhere, in an area dedicated to the 1980s, Nintendo’s “Donkey Kong” gets remixed as “Bossy Kong,” with a suited villain rather than a gorilla trying to thwart our progress.

From Los Angeles Times

With key regional elections across eastern Germany in September, there are bound to be more stories about bossy Greens supposedly banning well-loved German traditions.

From BBC

“No need to get bossy. We won’t walk on your path.”

From Literature

Related Words

• imperious
• overbearing
• pushy