Meaning of bully in English

Table of contents

Verb
bully
Definitions
1. be bossy towards
Examples
- « Her big brother always bullied her when she was young »
2. discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
Examples
- « intimidate »
Derived terms
Classifying Adjective
bully
Definitions
1. very good
Examples
- « he did a bully job »
- « a neat sports car »
- « had a great time at the party »
- « you look simply smashing »
Synonyms
- good
Noun
bully
Etymology
mid 16th century: probably from Middle Dutch boele‘lover’. Original use was as a term of endearment applied to either sex; it later became a familiar form of address to a male friend. The current sense dates from the late 17th century
Definitions
1. a cruel and brutal fellow
Derived terms
- browbeat
- swagger

Famous quotes

« Ever since the collapse of cap and trade legislation and the realization that President Obama is unlikely to ever utter the words 'climate change' in public again, much less use the bully pulpit to prepare the nation for the catastrophic risks of inaction, the movement has been in a funk. »
Jeff Goodell
« One of the great attractions of patriotism - it fulfills our worst wishes. In the person of our nation we are able, vicariously, to bully and cheat. Bully and cheat, what's more, with a feeling that we are profoundly virtuous. »
Aldous Huxley
« The way to work with a bully is to take the ball and go home. First time, every time. When there's no ball, there's no game. Bullies hate that. So they'll either behave so they can play with you or they'll go bully someone else. »
Seth Godin
« Let me get you to understand I don't bully anybody. I stand up for what I believe in and I'm very honest and I always tell the truth. I'm not a liar, I'm not manipulative and I don't stab you in your back because I will stab you in your chest. »
NeNe Leakes
« You know, what we do know is that there is a high frequency of violence in the home of those who bully. »
Phil McGraw