To save this word, you'll need to log in.
plural bullies
Definition of bully
(Entry 1 of 4)
1a : a blustering, browbeating person especially : one who is habitually cruel, insulting, or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller, or in some way vulnerable tormented by the neighborhood bully
b : pimp
2 : a hired ruffian
bully
verbbullied; bullying
Definition of bully (Entry 2 of 4)
1 : to treat (someone) in a cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive fashion : to act like a bully toward
bullied her younger brother
2 : to cause (someone) to do something by means of force or coercion
was bullied into accepting their offer
: to use language or behavior that is cruel, insulting, threatening, or aggressive
bully
adjectiveDefinition of bully (Entry 3 of 4)
bully
noun (2)Definition of bully (Entry 4 of 4)
food : pickled or canned usually corned beef
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share bully
Time Traveler for bully
The first known use of bully was in 1538
See more words from the same year