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: a workplace bully who cuts me off when I speak.

   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 act the bully toward; habitually intimidate, abuse, or harass:

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

   Synonyms: tyrannize, terrorize, browbeat, cow

2. to coerce or compel by bullying:

   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 act as a bully:

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

bully

²

/ 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!

Other Words From

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

C20: short for cockabully

Origin of bully²

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

Example Sentences

UNO puts such an onus on smoking students that it ultimately seems like a bully, even more than a nanny.

From The Daily Beast

And when we have been spared such tragedy, it has happened precisely because presidents have stood up to the bully caucus.

From The Daily Beast

But as a true anti-bullying champion will tell you, a bully is no less a bully simply because his victim seeks to excuse him.

From The Daily Beast

Or maybe even one on each wrist, both reading “I AM A BULLY.”

From The Daily Beast

If I am elected, then I will have power and the ability to ‘bully’ Republicans, as you say.

From The Daily Beast

I think if you give me a full and unlimited commission to bully Giles and that little boy, Brittles, I can manage it.

From Project Gutenberg

Both Coulter and Paxton fell upon the bully together and punished him severely.

From Project Gutenberg

The pair told Ritter what they thought of him, and each declared that he was going to expose the bully to Captain Putnam.

From Project Gutenberg

A man, burly and broad-shouldered, who had the air of a professional bully, walked by himself ahead.

From Project Gutenberg

Digby had shaken himself clear of the bully, whose face was livid with anger, and stood facing him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• oppressor
• rascal