a person who repeatedly hurts, frightens, or intimidates someone who seems weaker or unable to defend themselves
The older boy acted like a bully by grabbing the little kids' lunches.
Teachers quickly stepped in when a bully started pushing a classmate in the hallway.
✦ Originates from Middle Dutch "boele" meaning "lover" or "brother"; sense shifted in 17th century to "harasser of the weak".
to frighten, threaten, or force someone, especially a weaker person, to do something
Her older cousins used to bully her about her accent.
Don't let anyone bully you into cheating on the exam.
✦ Developed from the noun sense; first recorded as a verb in early 18th century.
(dated) used to show strong approval, pleasure, or encouragement, similar to “great!” or “good for you!”
You passed the bar exam? Bully for you!
"We’ve secured the funding."—"Bully!" the professor exclaimed.
✦ Originally positive slang in 16–17th centuries meaning “excellent fellow”; retained as an exclamation in 19th-century American English.
