bull
1the male of a bovine animal, especially of the genus Bos, with sexual organs intact and capable of reproduction.
the male of certain other mammals, as elephants and moose.
male.
of, relating to, or resembling a bull, as in strength.
having to do with or marked by a continuous trend of rising prices, as of stocks: a bull market.
Stock Exchange. to attempt to raise the price of.
to speculate in, in expectation of a rise in price.
to force; shove: to bull one's way through a crowd.
Nautical. to ram (a buoy).
Idioms about bull
bull in a china shop,
an awkward or clumsy person.
an inconsiderate or tactless person.
a troublemaker; dangerous person.
take the bull by the horns, to attack a difficult or risky problem fearlessly.
Origin of bull
1Other words from bull
- bull-like, adjective
Other definitions for bull (2 of 5)
exaggeration, lies, or nonsense.
Origin of bull
2Other definitions for bull (3 of 5)
a bulla or seal.
Roman Catholic Church. a formal papal document having a bulla attached.
Origin of bull
3Other definitions for Bull (4 of 5)
O·le (Bor·ne·mann) [oh-luh-bor-nuh-mahn], /ˈoʊ lə ˈbɒr nəˌmɑn/, 1810–80, Norwegian violinist and composer.
Other definitions for bull. (5 of 5)
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use bull in a sentence
Yes, the minor-league baseball player memorably portrayed by Kevin Costner in bull Durham.
He also said police intend to put their beloved family pet, a Staffordshire bull terrier named Excalibur, to sleep.
Biden made many visits to Baghdad and no doubt get fed a load of bull about inclusion on each one.
Like at bull Run, when I am in the presence of those old family letters, I am transported.
A stoic figure in a white floor length dress and razor-tailored bodice was accessorized with a giant bull skull as a mask.
Gareth Pugh's Fashion Show Lacked Fashion, But Not Passion | Justin Jones | September 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The well-known "cock and bull" stories of small children are inspired by this love of strong effect.
Children's Ways | James SullyI thought this young man was going to read us some of his poetry; it's too tiresome of him to stop to tell us about his bull-dog.
And I, for one, absolutely decline to believe in this preposterous story of his about a bull-dog.
Tom leaped on one side; the buffalo-bull turned short round and made another dash at him.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. BallantyneSome who would face a mad bull coolly enough spring with disgust from a cockroach or a centipede.
Hunting the Lions | R.M. Ballantyne
British Dictionary definitions for bull (1 of 5)
/ (bʊl) /
any male bovine animal, esp one that is sexually mature: Related adjective: taurine
the uncastrated adult male of any breed of domestic cattle
the male of various other animals including the elephant and whale
a very large, strong, or aggressive person
stock exchange
a speculator who buys in anticipation of rising prices in order to make a profit on resale
(as modifier): a bull market Compare bear 1 (def. 5)
mainly British short for bull's-eye (def. 1), bull's-eye (def. 2)
slang short for bullshit
short for bulldog, bull terrier
a bull in a china shop a clumsy person
shoot the bull US and Canadian slang
to pass time talking lightly
to boast or exaggerate
take the bull by the horns to face and tackle a difficulty without shirking
male; masculine: a bull elephant
large; strong
(tr) to raise or attempt to raise the price or prices of (a stock market or a security) by speculative buying
(intr) (of a cow) to be on heat
(intr) US slang to talk lightly or foolishly
Origin of bull
1British Dictionary definitions for bull (2 of 5)
/ (bʊl) /
a ludicrously self-contradictory or inconsistent statement: Also called: Irish bull
Origin of bull
2British Dictionary definitions for bull (3 of 5)
/ (bʊl) /
a formal document issued by the pope, written in antiquated characters and often sealed with a leaden bulla
Origin of bull
3British Dictionary definitions for Bull (4 of 5)
/ (bʊl) /
the Bull the constellation Taurus, the second sign of the zodiac
British Dictionary definitions for Bull (5 of 5)
/ (bʊl) /
John . 1563–1628, English composer and organist
See John Bull
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with bull
In addition to the idioms beginning with bull
- bull in a china shop
- bull session
also see:
- cock and bull story
- hit the bull's-eye
- shoot the breeze (bull)
- take the bull by the horns
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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