bully

¹

[ bool-ee ]

noun

, plural bul·lies.

1. a blustering, mean, or predatory person who, from a perceived position of relative power, intimidates, abuses, harasses, or coerces people, especially those considered unlikely to defend themselves:

   playground bullies targeting children with disabilities;

   a workplace bully who cuts me off when I speak.

2. Archaic. a man hired to do violence.
3. Obsolete. a pimp; procurer.
4. Obsolete. a good friend; good fellow.
5. Obsolete. a sweetheart; darling.

verb (used with object)

, bul·lied, bul·ly·ing.

1. to intimidate, abuse, or harass, especially habitually:

   The boy next door constantly bullies the younger children in the neighborhood.

   Synonyms: tyrannize, terrorize, browbeat, cow

2. to coerce or compel by harassment or intimidation:

   The salesman bullied me into upgrading the car's paint protection and rust-proofing.

verb (used without object)

, bul·lied, bul·ly·ing.

1. to harass, intimidate, or abuse other people, especially from a perceived position of relative power:

   People who bully are often very insecure.

adjective

1. Informal: Older Use. fine; excellent; very good:

   What a bully meal!

2. Archaic. dashing; jovial; high-spirited.

interjection

1. Informal. good! well done!:

   If your bus commute saves you time and gets you to work on time, well bully for you!

bully

²

[ bool-ee ]

adjective

1. of or relating to a pit bull or bulldog:

   The shelter has a number of bully breed mix puppies available for adoption.

bully

³

[ bool-ee ]

noun

1. bully beef.

bully

⁴

[ bool-ee ]

noun

, plural bul·lies.

1. Soccer. a desperate, freewheeling scramble for the ball by a number of players, usually in the goal area.
2. Field Hockey. a method of putting the ball into play in which two opponents, facing each other, tap their sticks on the ground near the ball and then make contact with each other's sticks over the ball three times, after which each tries to gain possession of the ball.

bully

¹

/ ˈbʊlɪ /

noun

1. a person who hurts, persecutes, or intimidates weaker people
2. archaic.
   a hired ruffian
3. obsolete.
   a procurer; pimp
4. obsolete.
   a fine fellow or friend
5. obsolete.
   a sweetheart; darling

verb

1. whentr, often foll by into to hurt, intimidate, or persecute (a weaker or smaller person), esp to make him do something

adjective

1. dashing; jolly

   my bully boy

2. informal.
   very good; fine

interjection

1. informal.
   Alsobully for you well done! bravo!

bully

²

/ ˈbʊlɪ /

noun

1. any of various small freshwater fishes of the genera Gobiomorphus and Philynodon of New Zealand Also called (NZ)pakokotitarakuratoitoi

Other Words From

• bul·ly·a·ble adjective
• un·bul·lied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bully¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Middle Dutch boele “lover”

Origin of bully²

First recorded in 1880–85; bull(dog) ( def ) + -y ¹( def )

Origin of bully³

First recorded in 1750–55; from French bouilli, short for boeuf bouilli “boiled meat”; boil ¹, beef

Origin of bully⁴

First recorded in 1860–65; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of bully¹

C16 (in the sense: sweetheart, hence fine fellow, hence swaggering coward): probably from Middle Dutch boele lover, from Middle High German buole , perhaps childish variant of bruoder brother

Origin of bully²

C20: short for cockabully

Example Sentences

Ms Gunston described the dog as a pocket bully.

From BBC

The pocket is a variant of the American bully breed, which includes the larger and more muscular XL.

From BBC

The UK government made it a criminal offence to possess a bully XL without a valid certificate of exemption from February 2024, following a spate of attacks.

From BBC

A mother said her two-year-old son was lucky to be alive after he was "horrifically" attacked by a pocket bully dog while trick or treating.

From BBC

He remains a pathetic bully, but the Democrats have failed to overcome him.

From Salon

Related Words

• oppressor
• rascal