bully

Everyday

1. A bully is a person who hurts, frightens or picks on someone smaller or weaker again and again on purpose. tree →
2. To bully someone is to keep hurting, threatening, teasing or leaving them out on purpose. tree →
3. Bully can also be an old friendly word for a good fellow, used when speaking warmly to a friend. tree →

In the lessons

In school and safety lessons: bullying can be hitting, name-calling, spreading rumours, leaving people out or online (cyberbullying); it is never the victim's fault; tell a trusted adult and stand up for others. In stories, bullies often learn a lesson or the hero finds courage. Phrases: stand up to a bully, anti-bullying, be bullied.

Examples

• Tell a teacher if someone is bullying you. tree →
• The bully took his lunch money. tree →
• Being bullied is never your fault. tree →
• We stood up for her when the bully called her names. tree →
• Our school has an anti-bullying week. tree →
• Bullying online is called cyberbullying. tree →
• A real friend never bullies you. tree →
• The bully said sorry in the end. tree →

Note

Plural: bullies; past: bullied (y changes to i). Bullying means it happens again and again on purpose; one fight or one rude comment is unkind but not always bullying. «Bully for you!» is an old phrase meaning «well done» (often sarcastic).