bossier; bossiest
: inclined to domineer : dictatorial
bossiness noun
1
: marked by a swelling or roundness
2
: marked by bosses : studded

bossy

3 of 3

noun

plural bossies
: cow, calf

Examples of bossy in a Sentence

Adjective (1) I don't want to work with him because he's so bossy and always runs roughshod over me
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
So the trick is to tamper down the background noise, omit bossy vanilla, and roast the peaches briefly with sugar in a cast-iron skillet to amplify their flavor. Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 22 May 2025 The album itself offers quaint harmonies and big beats, á la We, set atop the bossy stomp of 2013’s Reflektor. Will Dukes, Rolling Stone, 8 May 2025 Parents don’t follow instructions, and their children — exhausted and anxious — get impatient and bossy. John Samuels, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 As April unfolds, the full moon in Libra (April 12) shines a light on your bossy 10th house of career, authority and reputation in the world. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bossy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

boss entry 6

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1882, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bossy was in 1543

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bossy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bossy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

bossy

adjective
ˈbȯ-sē
bossier; bossiest
: fond of ordering people around : domineering
bossiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bossy

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