bully
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1bul·ly
noun \ˈbu̇-lē, ˈbə-\ plural bullies
Definition of BULLY
1
2
a : a blustering browbeating person; especially : one habitually cruel to others who are weaker b : pimp
3
: a hired ruffian
Origin of BULLY
probably from Middle Dutch boele lover; akin to Middle Low German bōle lover, Middle High German buole
First Known Use: 1538
2bully
adjectiveDefinition of BULLY
1
: excellent —often used in interjectional expressions <bully for you>
2
: resembling or characteristic of a bully
See Examples of BULLY
- <that's a bully idea for reviving the town's retail center>
First Known Use of BULLY
1609
Related to BULLY
- Synonyms
- A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, blue-ribbon, boffo, bonny (also bonnie) [chiefly British], boss [slang], brag, brave, excellent, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool [slang], corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope [slang], down [slang], dynamite, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous [slang], fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, four-star, frontline, gangbusters (also gangbuster), gilt-edged (or gilt-edge), gone [slang], grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype [slang], immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one (also No. 1), numero uno, out-of-sight [slang], par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat [slang], prime, primo [slang], prize, prizewinning, quality, radical [slang], righteous [slang], sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-flight, top-notch, top-of-the-line, topping [chiefly British], top-shelf, unsurpassed, wizard [chiefly British], wonderful
3bully
verb bul·lied bul·ly·ing
Definition of BULLY
transitive verb
1
: to treat abusively
2
: to affect by means of force or coercion
intransitive verb
: to use browbeating language or behavior : bluster
Examples of BULLY
- He bullied his younger brothers.
- <children who had been bullied by their father since infancy>
First Known Use of BULLY
1693
4bully
nounDefinition of BULLY
: pickled or canned usually corned beef
Origin of BULLY
probably modification of French (bœuf) boulli boiled beef
First Known Use: 1753
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