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# bossy

adjective (bossy, bossier, bossiest)

«bossy» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal) Bossy means always telling other people what to do, in a way that is annoying. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#m1)
2. (informal, children) "Bossy boots" is a teasing name for a bossy person. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and school life, a bossy character orders others around in games and group work; it is a common character trait to describe. In PSHE lessons, children learn the difference between being a good leader and being bossy. Phrases: bossy boots, a bossy older sister, stop being bossy.

### Examples

- My big sister is so bossy! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#x1)
- Stop being bossy and let someone else choose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#x2)
- In group work, Sam can be a bit bossy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#x3)
- Don't be such a bossy boots. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#x4)
- The bossy cat chased the dog off the sofa. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#x5)
- A good leader listens; a bossy person just gives orders. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/#x6)

### Note

Comparison: bossier, bossiest (y changes to i). From "boss". Informal, and it is a criticism. Opposite: easy-going, meek.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «bossy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/bossy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«bossy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/bossy.html) on Mova free.