bully
1 Americannoun
plural
bullies-
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.
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Archaic. a man hired to do violence.
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Obsolete. a pimp; procurer.
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Obsolete. a good friend; good fellow.
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Obsolete. a sweetheart; darling.
verb (used with object)
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to intimidate, abuse, or harass, especially habitually.
The boy next door constantly bullies the younger children in the neighborhood.
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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)
adjective
interjection
adjective
noun
noun
plural
bullies-
Soccer. a desperate, freewheeling scramble for the ball by a number of players, usually in the goal area.
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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.
noun
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a person who hurts, persecutes, or intimidates weaker people
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archaic a hired ruffian
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obsolete a procurer; pimp
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obsolete a fine fellow or friend
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obsolete a sweetheart; darling
verb
adjective
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dashing; jolly
my bully boy
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informal very good; fine
interjection
noun
Usage
What does bully mean? A bully is a person who harasses, abuses, intimidates, or coerces people, especially those with less power than they have or those considered weaker or vulnerable in some way. The word often implies that such behavior is repeated or habitual. Bully can also be a verb meaning to treat people in this way (to act as a bully toward them), as in The man who used to bully his classmates in school is now teaching children how not to bully others. Someone who is treated in this way is said to be bullied. The act of treating people in this way is called bullying. Bullies are primarily associated with school settings involving kids, but adults can be considered bullies as well. The most familiar form of a bully depicted in popular culture is the neighborhood or schoolyard bully, usually a physically strong or large child or teenager who uses their size to bully smaller, younger, or more timid kids. Famous fictional bullies that fit this profile include Biff Tannen from Back to the Future and Nelson Muntz from The Simpsons. However, the understanding of what constitutes bullying has evolved and broadened to encompass behavior that involves not just physical but emotional abuse and manipulation. Many studies have shown that bullying has long-lasting emotional and psychological effects, and many organized efforts and campaigns are devoted to preventing bullying in schools and elsewhere. The word cyberbully is used as a noun and a verb in the context of bullying that happens online. Bully can also be used a bit more generally to mean to force or coerce someone into doing something, as in The trainer bullied me into signing up for an expensive gym membership. An entirely different (and much less common) use of bully is as an adjective to describe something as great or excellent, as in What a bully day! It’s also used as an interjection meaning “Great!” or “Well done!” as in Bully for you: you got all A’s on your report card! These uses of the word are now typically considered old-fashioned. Example: Our school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying—bullies are immediately suspended.
Other Word Forms
- bullyable adjective
- unbullied adjective
Etymology
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Women were the cruellest critics, she told the New York Times, with all of the in-person bullying, plus most of the phone calls and messages coming from women.
From BBC
Without that constant bullying, maybe a few will allow themselves to think forbidden thoughts or to ask questions.
From Salon
Did they think they could bully India, only to then wilt in Australia?
From BBC
The Chargers completed a season sweep of AFC West bully Kansas City with a 16-13 victory that ultimately knocked the Chiefs out of playoff contention for the first time in 11 years.
From Los Angeles Times
Gaming platforms and social media pose similar risks for children: excessive time spent online, and potential exposure to predators, harmful content or bullying.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
