bully

¹ American  

[bool-ee] / ˈbʊl i /

noun

plural

bullies

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.

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verb (used with object)

bullied, bullying

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)

bullied, bullying

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 American  

[bool-ee] / ˈbʊl i /

adjective

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

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

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bully ³ American  

[bool-ee] / ˈbʊl i /

noun

1. bully beef.

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bully ⁴ American  

[bool-ee] / ˈbʊl i /

noun

plural

bullies

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.

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bully ¹ British  

/ 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

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verb

1. 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. Also: bully for you.  informal well done! bravo!

bully ² British  

/ ˈbʊlɪ /

noun

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

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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

Explanation

You might still have terrifying dreams about the bully who harassed you on the playground in second grade. A bully is someone who intimidates people, usually those who are weaker or smaller. The classic example of a bully is a mean kid in a schoolyard who hassles or beats up younger students. While a child or a teenager can be a bully, so is anyone who uses power or strength to scare or harm other people. The word bully has gone through a mysterious evolution, from the 1530s when it meant "sweetheart," through the 17th century's meanings of "fine fellow," then "blusterer," and finally "harasser of the weak."

Example Sentences

In fact he is the opposite — a domineering strongman who seeks to bully everyone around him into compliance.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

“To every kid with a learning disability: don’t let anyone — not even the President of the United States — bully you,” Newsom wrote on X. “Dyslexia isn’t a weakness. It’s your strength.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The found that a brand could risk seeming like a bully if it appropriated a comment from someone who seems vulnerable, like an elderly person.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Pictures of Warren's XL bully puppies feature in the video during this part of the song.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Once, she’d protected Danny from a nasty bully at one of the homes they’d lived in.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• bludgeon
• browbeat
• coerce
• harass
• hector
• oppress
• persecute
• terrorize
• threaten
• torment
• torture