How to Pronounce Bully

To pronounce "bully", say BULLY — one syllable, IPA /ˈbʊli/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

bully

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying bully, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

1

Syllable

5

Letters

/ˈbʊli/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “bully”

"bully" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with woolly and fully, if that helps it stick.

What does bully mean?

noun

  1. A person who is intentionally, physically, or emotionally cruel to others; especially to those who are weaker or have less power or privilege.

    “A playground bully pushed a girl off the swing.”

  2. A noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous; one who is threatening and quarrelsome; an insolent, tyrannical fellow.

verb

  1. To intimidate (someone) as a bully.

    “You shouldn't bully people for being gay.”

  2. To act aggressively towards.

adjective

  1. Very good.

    “a bully horse”

  2. Jovial and blustering.

Synonyms

henchmanthugpimppush aroundride roughshod overdashingexcellent

Words that rhyme with bully

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

woollyfullywoolypulleybullaebulliwooley

Related words

browbeatbullyraghectorballyragrowdyruffianroughneckhooligan

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "bully"?▾

"Bully" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "bully"?▾

The IPA transcription of "bully" is /ˈbʊli/.

What does "bully" mean?▾

Bully: A person who is intentionally, physically, or emotionally cruel to others; especially to those who are weaker or have less power or privilege.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “bully” in the full dictionary →