bully
BUU-lee
Bully (noun) means a person who deliberately mistreats, threatens, or intimidates others they see as weaker. Example: “The teacher stepped in when she saw the bully shoving smaller kids around.”
noun
1
A person who deliberately mistreats, threatens, or intimidates others they see as weaker.
"The teacher stepped in when she saw the bully shoving smaller kids around."
"No one wants to work for a boss who acts like a bully."
"Nobody dared to stand up to the bully in the playground."
verb
1
To intimidate or act aggressively toward someone, typically someone perceived as weaker.
"He was suspended for bullying a younger student online."
"She refused to be bullied into signing the contract."
"Older boys used to bully him because he wore glasses."
adj
1
Excellent or first-rate (dated, informal).
""Bully for you!" he said, congratulating her on the win."
""That's a bully idea, old chap!" cried the colonel in the old film."
"My great-grandfather would call a good dinner bully."
How to use bully
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who uses their power or size to hurt or scare people who can't easily fight back — or the act of doing that.
Common mistake
The older, positive sense ("bully for you" meaning "well done") survives only in a few fixed phrases like "bully pulpit" — don't use "bully" as a general compliment today.
Common pairings
school bully
workplace bully
bully someone into doing something
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Word forms
- Plural
- bullies
- Third person singular
- bullies
- Past tense
- bullied
- Comparative
- bullier
- Superlative
- bulliest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The teacher stepped in when she saw the _____ shoving smaller kids around.
Etymology
Originally (1530s) a term of endearment from Dutch boel ("lover, brother"); it darkened in meaning during the 1600s to describe a blustering, cruel person.
Class of 1530
bully joined the language around 1530.
See the full Class of 1530 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for bully
See all rhymes for bully →Frequently asked questions
What does “bully” mean?
The word “bully” means a person who deliberately mistreats, threatens, or intimidates others they see as weaker. In plain terms, someone who uses their power or size to hurt or scare people who can't easily fight back — or the act of doing that.
How do you pronounce “bully”?
“Bully” is pronounced BUU-lee (/ˈbʊli/ in IPA).
How do you use “bully” in a sentence?
Here is “bully” used in a sentence: “The teacher stepped in when she saw the bully shoving smaller kids around.”
What part of speech is “bully”?
Depending on how it is used, “bully” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “bully” come from?
The word “bully” dates back to around 1530 and comes from Dutch. Originally (1530s) a term of endearment from Dutch boel ("lover, brother"); it darkened in meaning during the 1600s to describe a blustering, cruel person.
Is “bully” a common word?
“Bully” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bully” have?
“Bully” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who deliberately mistreats, threatens, or intimidates others they see as weaker.
What is the difference between a 'bully' and a 'tormentor'?
A bully repeatedly mistreats, threatens, or intimidates people they see as weaker, usually as part of an ongoing pattern with a power imbalance. A tormentor causes someone distress or suffering but not necessarily from a position of perceived strength or through sustained intimidation. All bullies torment, but not every tormentor fits the bullying pattern.
What is the difference between 'bullying' and 'teasing'?
Teasing is usually light, playful, and two-sided, and it stops once it upsets someone. Bullying is deliberate, repeated, and one-sided, meant to hurt or intimidate a person seen as weaker. The defining differences are intent to harm, an imbalance of power, and repetition.
What is a 'bully pulpit'?
A 'bully pulpit' is a prominent position that gives someone a strong platform to speak out and influence public opinion. The phrase uses the dated sense of 'bully' meaning excellent or first-rate, not the sense of intimidation.
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