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bull

bull

25 7.4
A large strong man who looks physically powerful
  • noun
  • /bʊl/
  • Informal
translation icon : hombre corpulento
  • Wexler was built like a small bull, powerful but squat.
  • strong as a bull
  • raging bull
  • bull-necked

Examples

  • Halden, a charismatic bull of a man, emerges from the copter.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Apart from that, it becomes a highly personal matter between you and the bull.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • That's me, a big old bull in a china shop.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • He was a real bull.

  • He's a real bull, able to lift heavy weights with ease.

  • The coach admired the bull for his strength during the game.

  • At the gym, he was known as the bull because of his large build.

Synonyms

bruiser
vsbull
  • Informal
7 7.2

A large strong man who looks tough and ready to fight

is informal and stresses raw power and physical toughness rather than aggression
strapper
vsbull
1 9.2

A big, strong person who can lift heavy things

is informal and emphasizes physical power and toughness more than neutral size

Antonyms

weakling
  • Offensive
24 4.4

A person who has little body strength and gets tired easily

Idioms

To deal with a difficult problem directly and bravely

3 7.2

A clumsy or careless person who causes damage in delicate situations

To chat in a relaxed way about everyday things

Face a difficult problem directly and bravely

Doing something suddenly and forcefully without thinking because you are very eager

9.9

Something someone says that is not true

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

Compounds

40 3.9

A strong, muscular dog often kept as a pet and known for loyalty

bull market
  • Specialized
17 4.5

A time when stock prices rise and many people who buy shares feel confident

bull shark
  • Specialized
7 6.7

A large aggressive shark that lives in warm shallow water near coasts and in rivers

3 7.5

One of two major Civil War battles that took place near a creek in Virginia

3 3.4

A strong short-haired dog with a muscular body and an egg-shaped head

bull dyke
  • Slur
2 9.9

An offensive word for a lesbian who looks or acts very manly and tough

An early Civil War battle in Virginia where Confederate forces defeat Union troops

1 6.3

An absurd lie used to avoid blame or trick someone

bull session
  • Informal
1 7.9

A casual group conversation without a set topic

A strong, muscular dog breed from the United States with a short coat and high energy

John Bull
  • Literature
1 9.3

A character who stands for England or a typical English person

papal bull
  • Formal
1 9.9

An official paper from the pope sealed with a lead seal

1 4.0

A large strong dog that protects people and homes

1 8.9

A former US political party started by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 that supported progressive reforms

1 7.4

A very thick, short neck that makes someone look strong

A strong dog with short fur that is often loyal and brave

blue bull
  • Indian
9.1

A large deer-like animal from India whose male has a blue-grey coat and whose female is brown and hornless

A small American dog with a short smooth dark coat, white patches, and a flat face

8.8

A tree that keeps its leaves all year with large shiny leaves and big white fragrant flowers

bull butter
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk that is not true and that people do not believe

bull fiddle
  • Archaic
9.1

A very large string instrument like a big violin that makes low sounds

bull gravy
  • Archaic
9.9

Talk that is not true and meant to trick people

9.9

A rough prickly plant from North America with pale yellow flowers and small berries

bull nose
  • Specialized
9.9

A pig disease causing swelling and redness of the nose

8.1

A tall pine tree with dark green needles in groups of two to five and thick dark bark when mature

6.9

A creek in northeastern Virginia where two Civil War battles took place

6.9

A large North American snake that eats rodents, lives in burrows, and is not venomous

8.2

A tall prickly plant with large purple flower heads often found as a weed

bull tongue
  • Archaic
9.9

A heavy plow with one wide blade that breaks soil for cotton

bull-thrower
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who says things in a direct, often rude way and does not listen

7.2

A false story people tell to hide the real reason

A major early Civil War battle fought in July 1861 near Manassas, Virginia that the Confederate army won

9.9

A lesbian woman who is openly confident, shows a masculine style, and takes back an offensive name

A star sign represented by a bull from about April 20 to May 20

A strong, medium-sized English dog with a stocky body, smooth coat, and friendly nature

How Strong

giant
73 1.0
strongman
2 5.6
bull
  • Informal
25 7.4
brawny
6 4.7
man
1.0
weakling
  • Offensive
24 4.4

Surface Forms

bull singular
bulls plural

Etymology

Bull for a big, strong man comes from comparing that man to the animal: a bull is large and powerful, so calling someone a bull says they look very strong.