bossy

1 of 3

adjective (1)

ˈbȯ-sē How to pronounce bossy (audio) ˈbä- How to pronounce bossy (audio)
bossier; bossiest
Synonyms of bossynext
: inclined to domineer : dictatorial
bossiness noun

bossy

2 of 3

adjective (2)

ˈbä-sē How to pronounce bossy (audio) ˈbȯ- How to pronounce bossy (audio)
1
: marked by a swelling or roundness
2
: marked by bosses : studded

bossy

3 of 3

noun

ˈbȯ-sē How to pronounce bossy (audio) ˈbä- How to pronounce bossy (audio)
plural bossies
: cow, calf

Synonyms of bossy

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Adjective (1)

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Examples of bossy in a Sentence

Adjective (1) I don't want to work with him because he's so bossy and always runs roughshod over me
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
The shark is a pleasing stand-in for a big bossy grownup, easily fooled. — Elise Broach, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 Interactions with friends and groups could get out of hand with high energy that becomes bossy. — Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 5 Apr. 2026 That conceptual tension has led early users to experience agentic AI as a sort of bossy servant. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 25 Mar. 2026 The idea stems from the belief that children from single-child families tend to develop negative personality characteristics, such as being bossy, spoiled, or not social. — Cynthia Hanson, Parents, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bossy

Word History

Etymology

Noun

boss entry 6

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

1882, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bossy was in 1543

Phrases Containing bossy

Rhymes for bossy

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Browse Nearby Words

Bossuet
bossy
bossy-boots
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Cite this Entry

“Bossy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bossy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bossy

adjective
ˈbȯ-sē
bossier; bossiest
: fond of ordering people around : domineering
bossiness noun

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Nglish: Translation of bossy for Spanish Speakers

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