bull
buul
Bull (noun) means an adult male of cattle, or of certain other large animals such as elephants and whales. Example: “The farmer kept a prize bull separate from the herd.”
noun
1
An adult male of cattle, or of certain other large animals such as elephants and whales.
"The farmer kept a prize bull separate from the herd."
"The bull snorted and pawed the ground as we walked past the gate."
"A bull elephant can be much larger than the females in its herd."
2
Nonsense; empty or dishonest talk (informal).
"Don't give me that bull — just tell me what really happened."
"I think his excuse was complete bull, and everyone could tell."
"Cut the bull and give me a straight answer, please."
3
An official document or edict issued by the Pope.
"The papal bull was read aloud in cathedrals across Europe."
"The historian studied a medieval bull sealed with lead."
"The bull ordered the king to end the dispute with the church."
adj
1
Describing a market where prices are rising or expected to rise.
"Investors were optimistic during the bull market of the late 1990s."
"Shares kept climbing, and commentators said the bull run could continue."
"Analysts argued that a bull market tends to make people more confident."
How to use bull
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA male cattle animal; also used for a rising financial market, or informally for nonsense.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the financial "bull market" with a "bear market" (falling prices) — they're opposites.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
bull market
a load of bull
papal bull
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Word forms
- Plural
- bulls
- Third person singular
- bulls
- Past tense
- bulled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer kept a prize _____ separate from the herd.
Etymology
From Old English bula and Old Norse boli, both meaning "bull," from a Germanic root related to swelling or blowing up — describing the animal's bulk.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for bull
See all rhymes for bull →Frequently asked questions
What does “bull” mean?
The word “bull” means an adult male of cattle, or of certain other large animals such as elephants and whales. In plain terms, a male cattle animal; also used for a rising financial market, or informally for nonsense.
How do you pronounce “bull”?
“Bull” is pronounced buul (/bʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bull” in a sentence?
Here is “bull” used in a sentence: “The farmer kept a prize bull separate from the herd.”
What part of speech is “bull”?
Depending on how it is used, “bull” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “bull” come from?
The word “bull” comes from Old English. From Old English bula and Old Norse boli, both meaning "bull," from a Germanic root related to swelling or blowing up — describing the animal's bulk.
Is “bull” a common word?
“Bull” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “bull” have?
“Bull” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an adult male of cattle, or of certain other large animals such as elephants and whales.
What is the difference between a bull and a cow?
A bull is an adult male of cattle, while a cow is an adult female. The same male-versus-female distinction applies to certain other large animals, such as elephants and whales, where the male is also called a bull.
What is the difference between a bull and an ox?
A bull is an uncastrated adult male of cattle kept mainly for breeding, whereas an ox is typically a castrated adult male trained to pull loads and do heavy work. The words are not interchangeable, because the difference lies in whether the animal is intact and what it is used for.
What is the difference between a bull market and a bear market?
A bull market is one where prices are rising or expected to rise, reflecting optimism among investors. A bear market is the opposite, describing falling prices and a generally pessimistic outlook.
Why is a rising market called 'bull'?
The adjective 'bull' describes a market where prices are rising or expected to rise, and an investor who expects prices to climb is described as bullish. It contrasts with 'bear', which is used for markets that are falling.
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