bossy

1
[ baw-see, bos-ee ]
See synonyms for bossy on Thesaurus.com
adjective,boss·i·er, boss·i·est.
  1. given to ordering people about; overly authoritative; domineering.

Origin of bossy

1
An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; boss1 + -y1

Other words for bossy

Other words from bossy

  • boss·i·ly, adverb
  • boss·i·ness, noun

Words Nearby bossy

Other definitions for bossy (2 of 3)

bossy2
[ baw-see, bos-ee ]

adjective,boss·i·er, boss·i·est.
  1. studded with knoblike or projecting parts.

Origin of bossy

2
First recorded in 1535–45; boss2 + -y1

Other definitions for bossy (3 of 3)

bossy3
[ bos-ee, baw-see ]

noun,plural bos·sies.
  1. a familiar name for a cow or calf.

Origin of bossy

3
An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; boss3 + -y2

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use bossy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for bossy (1 of 2)

bossy1

/ (ˈbɒsɪ) /


adjectivebossier or bossiest
  1. informal domineering, overbearing, or authoritarian

Derived forms of bossy

  • bossily, adverb
  • bossiness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for bossy (2 of 2)

bossy2

/ (ˈbɒsɪ) /


adjective
  1. (of furniture) ornamented with bosses

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012