bull

bull · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    An adult male bovine animal.

  2. 2.

    Large and powerful.

  3. 3.

    To push forcefully through something.

  4. 4.

    Characterized by rising prices (finance).

  5. 5.

    A male of various large animals (elephant, whale, seal).

  6. 6.

    A person who buys securities expecting prices to rise (finance).

  7. 7.

    Nonsense or lies (slang, from "bullshit").

  8. 8.

    A papal edict or official document.

  9. 9.

    The center of a target.

Forms

plural: bulls

Phrases & expressions

  • bull market — a market with rising prices
  • take the bull by the horns — to face a problem directly
  • like a bull in a china shop — clumsy and destructive
  • bull's-eye — the center of a target; a direct hit
  • shoot the bull — to chat casually
  • red rag to a bull — something provocative

Related words

Antonyms: bear, cow
See also: bear, cattle, cow, ox
Synonyms: nonsense, ox, steer

Etymology

From Old English "bula," from Old Norse "boli" (bull).