bossy
gb/bˈɔsi/ us/bˈɔsi/
B1
English
parancsolgató, főnökösködő, parancsoló, utasító, tolakodó, dirigálós, túlzottan irányító
B1
1
főnökösködő
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is bossy (with/around [someone])
He can be bossy when we work in a group.
Elég parancsolgató tud lenni, amikor csoportban dolgozunk.
Stop being so bossy and let everyone choose for themselves.
Ne legyél már ennyire parancsolgató, és hagyd, hogy mindenki maga válasszon.
My older brother was bossy when we were kids.
Learner examples
She is bossy at work.
A munkahelyén elég parancsolgató.
Don’t be bossy.
Ne parancsolgass.
Common mistake:
Do not use bossy to mean 'a boss' or 'having a boss'; it means 'controlling' or 'ordering people around'.
Meaning
always telling others what to do
Collocations
a bossy person
|a bossy child
|a bossy sister
|a bossy colleague
|a bossy manager
|bossy behavior
|bossy attitude
|bossy and rude
|bossy and controlling
|a bit bossy
Synonyms
domineering (More formal and stronger.)
|
overbearing (Suggests an oppressive, overwhelming manner.)
|
pushy (Often about forcing your way, not just giving orders.)
|
controlling (Focuses on wanting control rather than giving orders.)
Antonyms
easygoing (Relaxed and not controlling.)
|
laid-back (Very relaxed; not likely to order others around.)
|
submissive (Too willing to accept other people’s control.)
Themes
personality
|relationships
|work
|behavior
Definition
If someone is bossy, they tell other people what to do too much.
Always giving people orders or telling them what to do in an annoying or rude way.
B2
2
parancsoló
B2
utasító
B2
Usage pattern:
a bossy [tone/voice/manner]
Her email sounded bossy, even though she didn’t mean it that way.
Az e-mailje parancsoló hangvételűnek tűnt, pedig nem így szánta.
Try not to use such a bossy tone when you ask for help.
Próbálj meg nem ilyen parancsoló hangnemben segítséget kérni.
The note came across as bossy and impatient.
Learner examples
His voice sounds bossy.
Parancsoló a hangja.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse bossy for any 'strong' tone; it specifically implies giving orders and control.
Meaning
sounding like you are giving orders
Collocations
a bossy tone
|a bossy voice
|a bossy manner
|a bossy email
|a bossy message
|bossy instructions
|a bossy remark
|a bossy comment
|come off as bossy
|sound bossy
Synonyms
authoritarian (More formal; emphasizes strict authority.)
|
peremptory (More formal; emphasizes curt, final orders.)
Antonyms
polite (Shows respect rather than giving orders.)
|
suggestive (Offers ideas instead of directing.)
Themes
communication
|behavior
|emotions
Definition
A bossy tone or voice sounds like an order.
Using a tone or manner that gives orders and assumes authority, often in a way people dislike.
C1
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
a bossy [app/software/feature/assistant]
The new app feels bossy, with constant pop-ups telling me what to do next.
Az új alkalmazás tolakodónak hat: állandó felugró ablakok mondják meg, mit csináljak ezután.
I turned off the bossy reminders because they were distracting.
Kikapcsoltam a tolakodó emlékeztetőket, mert elvonták a figyelmemet.
Learner examples
This app is bossy.
Ez az app túl sokat dirigál.
Common mistake:
This use is usually informal and often humorous; it is not typical in very formal writing.
Meaning
overly controlling or intrusive in design
Collocations
a bossy app
|bossy software
|a bossy assistant
|bossy prompts
|bossy notifications
|a bossy pop-up
|bossy recommendations
Synonyms
intrusive (Focuses on unwanted interruptions.)
|
pushy (Emphasizes pressure rather than authority.)
Antonyms
unobtrusive (Does not get in the way or interrupt.)
|
hands-off (Leaves the user to decide without interference.)
Themes
technology
|design
|daily_life
Definition
Something is bossy if it keeps telling you what to do.
Trying to direct a user’s choices too much by giving unwanted suggestions, prompts, or restrictions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bossy
IPA
GB/bˈɔsi/
US/bˈɔsi/
Syllables & stress
bossy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bossy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: bossy
- Comparative: bossier
- Superlative: bossiest
Word family
Forms
bossier
adjective
bossiest
adjective
Core family
boss
noun A2
bossiness
noun
Related words
bossily
adverb
Expressions
bossy boots
1/bˈɔsi bˈuts/
fixed phrase
informal
a bossy person (playful insult)
A playful name for someone who keeps giving orders.
Examples
- All right, bossy boots—I'll do it your way this time.
- Don’t be such a bossy boots and let him decide.
Learner examples
- Stop it, bossy boots!
bossy-pants
1/bˈɔsi pˈænts/
fixed phrase
informal
a bossy person (humorous)
A funny name for a bossy person.
Examples
- She’s being a total bossy-pants about where we eat.
- Okay, bossy-pants, you plan the schedule then.
Learner examples
- He is such a bossy-pants.