Word
bossy
US/ˈbɔsi/
UK/bˈɒsi/
Definition
adj. always telling other people what to do, often when you have no right to give orders.
adj. inclined to give orders or dominate others, especially in a manner that is perceived as intrusive or overbearing.
Examples
“She is very bossy and always tells me what to do.”
“My younger brother is quite bossy when he plays with his friends, even though he is only six.”
“While her bossy nature can be frustrating for her colleagues, it is precisely this drive that makes her an effective leader in high-pressure environments.”
Examples
simple
“She is very bossy and always tells me what to do.”
contextual
“My younger brother is quite bossy when he plays with his friends, even though he is only six.”
complex
“While her bossy nature can be frustrating for her colleagues, it is precisely this drive that makes her an effective leader in high-pressure environments.”
Usage
Usually used to describe a person's character or a specific behavior.
Teaching tip
This word often carries a negative or critical tone; it is rarely used as a compliment.
Pitfall
He is a bossy person to his employees.
He is bossy with his employees.
While you can call someone a 'bossy person', when describing their behavior toward others, use the preposition 'with'.
Etymology
From boss + -y.
Diminutive of dialectal English boss + -y, as used in the term boss-calf (which, like buss-calf, is a variant form of boose-calf, a calf kept in a boose (“stall”)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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- Informal
QR code
englishreference.com/q/bossy