Bully Definition

bo͝olē

bullied, bullies, bullying, bullier, bulliest

noun

bullies

A person who hurts, frightens, or tyrannizes over those who are smaller or weaker.

Webster's New World

A companion or comrade.

Webster's New World

A hired cutthroat or thug.

Webster's New World

A pimp.

Webster's New World

A fine fellow.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

verb

bullied, bullies, bullying

To hurt, frighten, or tyrannize over, as a bully does; browbeat.

Webster's New World

To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner.

American Heritage

To make (one's way) aggressively.

American Heritage

To behave like a bully.

Webster's New World

To force one's way aggressively or by intimidation.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

adjective

bullier, bulliest

Dashing, hearty, or jolly.

My bully lad.

Webster's New World

Fine; very good.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

interjection

Used to express approval.

Bully for you!

American Heritage

Good; well done.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Bully

Noun

Singular:

bully

Plural:

bullies

Adjective

Base Form:

bully

Comparative:

bullier

Superlative:

bulliest

Origin of Bully

1530, from Dutch boel (“lover, brother”), from Middle Dutch boel, boele (“brother, lover”), from Proto-Germanic *bō-lan- (compare Middle Low German bōle (“brother”), Middle High German buole (“brother, close relative, close relation”), German Buhle (“lover”)), diminutive of expressive *bō- (“brother, father”). More at boy.

From Wiktionary
Perhaps French bouilli boiled meat, label on canned beef from past participle of bouillir to boil from Old French boilir boil¹

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Possibly from Middle Dutch boele sweetheart probably alteration of broeder brother bhrāter- in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition