verb
bandy
BAN-dee
Bandy (verb) means to pass something back and forth between people, especially words, rumors, or ideas. Example: “Theories were bandied about the office all morning.”
verb
1
To pass something back and forth between people, especially words, rumors, or ideas.
"Theories were bandied about the office all morning."
"The two politicians bandied insults on live television."
adj
1
Curving outward at the knees; bow-legged.
"Years of riding had left the old cowboy noticeably bandy-legged."
How to use bandy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo toss something (usually words or ideas) back and forth, or, as an adjective, to describe legs that curve outward.
Common pairings
bandy words
bandy about a rumor
bandy-legged
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Word forms
- Plural
- bandies
- Third person singular
- bandies
- Past tense
- bandied
- Comparative
- bandier
- Superlative
- bandiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years of riding had left the old cowboy noticeably _____-legged.
Etymology
From French bander, originally describing hitting a ball back and forth in an early form of tennis — the "passing back and forth" sense comes straight from that game.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bandy
See all rhymes for bandy →Frequently asked questions
What does “bandy” mean?
The word “bandy” means to pass something back and forth between people, especially words, rumors, or ideas. In plain terms, to toss something (usually words or ideas) back and forth, or, as an adjective, to describe legs that curve outward.
How do you pronounce “bandy”?
“Bandy” is pronounced BAN-dee (/ˈbændi/ in IPA).
How do you use “bandy” in a sentence?
Here is “bandy” used in a sentence: “Years of riding had left the old cowboy noticeably bandy-legged.”
What part of speech is “bandy”?
Depending on how it is used, “bandy” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “bandy” come from?
The word “bandy” comes from French. From French bander, originally describing hitting a ball back and forth in an early form of tennis — the "passing back and forth" sense comes straight from that game.
How many meanings does “bandy” have?
“Bandy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to pass something back and forth between people, especially words, rumors, or ideas.
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