bully

¹

[bool-ee]

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.

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

[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

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.

bully

¹

/ 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. 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

/ ˈbʊlɪ /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• bullyable adjective
• unbullied 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

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

Origin of bully²

C20: short for _cockabully

Example Sentences

So you have to stand up to a bully to make him realise you're not going to give things up for free.

From BBC

Later the same month, Chinese ambassador to India Xu Feihong called the US a "bully" for imposing steep tariffs on India and other countries.

From BBC

At their meeting with Mr Philip's family in 2022, the hospital said Ms Booth's relationship with theatre staff was "excellent" and no concerns regarding bullying had been identified.

From BBC

But he’s also been known to cave in to pushback, as bullies often do.

From Salon

The governing body also said that Young would be required to "complete training on athlete welfare, injury management and bullying/harassment before a return to coaching could be considered".

From BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.