noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

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

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."

verb

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."

adj

Excellent or first-rate (dated, informal).

""Bully for you!" he said, congratulating her on the win."

How to Use Bully

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

bullier comparative, bullied past tense, bullies plural, bullies singular, bulliest superlative

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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.

Origin: Dutch · First attested 1530

Class of 1530 bully joined the language around 1530.

grouse Passover society syphilis

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Rhymes for bully

gully fully sully cully Tully Scully awfully joyfully lawfully woefully hopefully fearfully

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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.

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Vocabulary lists that include bully:

Words With Dutch Origins