Definition of bull
1a : a male bovine; especially : an adult uncastrated male domestic bovineb : a usually adult male of various large animals (such as elephants, whales, or seals)
2 : one who buys securities or commodities in expectation of a price rise or who acts to effect such a rise — compare bear
3 : one that resembles a bull (as in brawny physique)
4 : bulldog
5 slang : police officer, detective
6 capitalized : taurus
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Origin and Etymology of bull
Middle English bule, from Old English bula; akin to Old Norse boli bull
bull
Definition of bull
1a : of or relating to a bullb : male a bull calfc : suggestive of a bull
2 : large of its kind a bull lathe
First Known Use of bull
13th century
bull
Definition of bull
intransitive verb
: to advance forcefully
transitive verb
1 : to act on with violence
2 : force bulled his way through the crowd
First Known Use of bull
1884
Origin and Etymology of bull
Middle English bulle, from Medieval Latin bulla, from Latin, bubble, amulet
bull
Definition of bull
transitive verb
slang : to fool especially by fast boastful talk
intransitive verb
slang : to engage in idle and boastful talk
First Known Use of bull
1609
bull
Definition of bull
1 : a grotesque blunder in language
2 slang : empty boastful talk
3 slang : nonsense 2
Origin and Etymology of bull
perhaps from obsolete bull to mock
Financial Definition of BULL
bull
What It Is
A bull has a positive outlook on an asset class or an entire market. In investing terminology, bull is the opposite of bear.
How It Works
Investors have perceptions and expectations about the securities markets and whether or not the value of specific securities, as well as the market overall, will rise or fall. The bull (or "bullish investor") makes investments based on his or her belief that the market will climb higher or that certain securities will post gains.
The opposite is the bear (or "bearish investor"), who acts upon his or her belief that the market will decline in value or that certain securities will decline in value.
Why It Matters
Market perceptions can affect securities prices depending on how many bulls or bears there are in the market. This is best expressed by the bull/bear ratio. In either case, bulls and bears can impact the direction of market movements as a result of the investments they make.
If you're having difficulties remembering the which animal describes what, just remember: A bull attacks by thrusting his horns in an upward movement, while a bear attacks by swiping his paw in a downward movement. Therefore, if the market goes up, it's a bull market; if the market trends down, it's a bear market.
For more details on the history of these words, read The Quirky And Brutal Origins Of The Terms 'Bear' And 'Bull.'
BULL Defined for Kids
bull
playDefinition of bull for Students
: an adult male ox or an adult male of certain other large animals (as the elephant and the whale)
Learn More about bull
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See words that rhyme with bull Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bull Spanish Central: Translation of bull Nglish: Translation of bull for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bull for Arabic speakers
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