bully

Less common meanings

4. 4
   interjection

   Used to say well done, though today it is often said in a mocking way.

   'Bully for you,' he said, rolling his eyes at her bragging.

   "I finally cleaned my room," he said. "Well, bully for you," his sister said.

   UsageMostly in bully for you. Your tone shows if it is praise.

   Similarbravo, congratulations, congrats, kudos

   Note
5. 5
   excellentadjectivedatedUS

   Very good or great.

   She is a bully woman, not only a good mother, but a wonderful in-law

   1916, The Independent, volumes 35-36Here, bully means very good or excellent.

   To sing a bully song I'll try, / Bully for you, bully for you, / Gay as they make them, here I am, / Bully for you, for you.

   1861, Daniel Bryant, Bryant's Songs from Dixie's Land

   Similarexcellent, awesome, brilliant, cool, exceptional

   Oppositeawful, terrible, poor

   Note
6. 6
   hired thugnouncountable or uncountable

   A rough person paid to scare or hurt people for someone else.

   The landlord paid two bullies to scare the family out.

   The boss sent his bully to collect the money.

   Similarthug, henchman

7. 7
   canned beefnoununcountable

   Corned beef that comes in a can.

   We had bully and potatoes for dinner at camp.

   He opened a can of bully for lunch.

8. 8
   freshwater fishnouncountable or uncountable

   A small fish that lives in fresh water or in water that is a little salty.

   We saw a little bully hiding under a stone in the stream.

   The kids caught three bullies in their net where the river meets the sea.

9. 9
   restart (field hockey)nouncountable or uncountable

   In field hockey, a restart where two players tap sticks and then go for the ball.

   The game started again with a bully in the middle of the field.

   She won the bully and passed the ball to her teammate.

   Similarbully-off

   Note
10. 10
    companionnoundialectalcountable or uncountable

    A friend or companion, who can be a man or a woman.

    Similarbuddy, companion, chum, comrade, bud

    Note
11. 11
    nounobsoleteIrelandNorthern Englandcountable or uncountable

    A brother, or the oldest brother in a family. Also a man you work with, or a good friend.

    Frae Team Gut to Whitley, we' coals black an' brown For the Amphitrite loaded, the keel had come down— But the bullies ower neet had their gobs se oft wet, That the nyem o' the ship yen an' a' did forget.

    1824, Robert Gilchrist, “The Skipper's Erudition”Here, bullies means comrades or fellow workers, like brothers.

    Note
12. 12
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable

    Someone you love dearly, whether a man or a woman.

    I have promised to be with the sweet bully early in the morning of her important day.

    1753, Samuel Richardson, The History of Sir Charles GrandisonHere, bully means darling or sweetheart, someone loved dearly.

    I kiss his dirty shoe, and from heart-string / I love the lovely bully. What is thy name?

    1599, William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”Here, bully means darling, someone dearly loved.

    Similardarling, dear, baby, babe, dearest

    Note
13. 13
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable

    A lively man who is bold and stylish.

    What sayest thou, Bully Bottom?

    c. 1595, William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”Here, bully is a friendly word for a lively, bold, stylish man.

    Note
14. 14
    adjectiveobsolete

    Cheerful and friendly, but loud and full of big talk.

    Bless thee, bully doctor!

    1597, William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of WindsorHere, bully means cheerful and hearty, but loud and boastful.

    Note
15. 15
    noun

    A person who guards a sex worker and watches over them.
16. 16
    noun

    A hammer that miners use in their work.
17. 17
    noun

    In a ball game played at Eton College, a small, tight group of players pushing together for the ball.