bossy
bossy Lexical Profile
bossy Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Fond of giving people orders in an overbearing or domineering manner.
"Her older brother could be quite bossy whenever their parents left him in charge for the evening."
Ornamented with or swelling out in raised knobs, studs, or bosses.
"The ancient bronze shield featured a bossy surface designed to deflect incoming blows."
• noun
North American An informal rural name or affectionate call for a domestic cow or calf (species Bos taurus).
"The farmer stood by the pasture gate calling the bossy in for the evening milking."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Bossy' is an informal, disapproving adjective that is frequently criticized for being applied disproportionately to women and girls who display assertiveness or leadership.
• Rhymes for bossy
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common sense meaning 'fond of giving orders' arose in late 19th-century American English from 'boss' (borrowed from Dutch 'baas', meaning 'master'). The earlier ornamental sense derives from Middle English 'bosse' (a protuberance or raised knob), while the North American dialectal noun for a cow or calf likely stems from Latin 'bos' (ox or cow).