First Known Use: 1538
Dictionary
1bully
noun bul·ly \ˈbu̇-lē, ˈbə-\
plural bullies
Definition of BULLY
1
2
a : a blustering browbeating person; especially : one habitually cruel to others who are weaker b : pimp
3
: a hired ruffian
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Origin of BULLY
probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole
2bully
adjective
—used in phrases like bully for you to express approval or praise especially when the approval or praise is not sincere
Full Definition of BULLY
1
: excellent —often used in interjectional expressions <bully for you>
2
: resembling or characteristic of a bully
See bully defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BULLY
1609
Related to BULLY
- Synonyms
- A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, excellent, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
3bully
verb
: to frighten, hurt, or threaten (a smaller or weaker person) : to act like a bully toward (someone)
: to cause (someone) to do something by making threats or insults or by using force
bul·liedbul·ly·ing
Full Definition of BULLY
transitive verb
1
: to treat abusively
2
: to affect by means of force or coercion
intransitive verb
: to use browbeating language or behavior : bluster
See bully defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BULLY
1693
Related to BULLY
Synonym Discussion of BULLY
intimidate, cow, bulldoze, bully, browbeat mean to frighten into submission. intimidate implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another <intimidated by so many other bright freshmen>. cow implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost <not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business>. bulldoze implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats <bulldozed the city council into approving the plan>. bully implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior <bullied into giving up their lunch money>. browbeat implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment <browbeat the witness into a contradiction>.
4bully
noun
Definition of BULLY
: pickled or canned usually corned beef
Origin of BULLY
probably modification of French (bœuf) boulli boiled beef
First Known Use: 1753
BULLY Defined for Kids
1bully
noun bul·ly \ˈbu̇-lē\
plural bul·lies
Definition of BULLY for Kids
: a person who teases, hurts, or threatens smaller or weaker persons
2bully
verb
bul·liedbul·ly·ing
Definition of BULLY for Kids
: to tease, hurt, or threaten a smaller or weaker person : to act like a bully toward
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