Inglês

bossy

gb/bˈɔsi/ us/bˈɔsi/
B1 Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective B1 property
1

always telling others what to do

If someone is bossy, they tell other people what to do too much.

Padrão de uso: [someone] is bossy (with/around [someone])
Erro comum:
Do not use bossy to mean 'a boss' or 'having a boss'; it means 'controlling' or 'ordering people around'.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
easygoing (Relaxed and not controlling.) | laid-back (Very relaxed; not likely to order others around.) | submissive (Too willing to accept other people’s control.)
Colocações
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
Temas
personality |relationships |work |behavior
Exemplos
  • He can be bossy when we work in a group.
  • Stop being so bossy and let everyone choose for themselves.
  • My older brother was bossy when we were kids.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • She is bossy at work.
  • Don’t be bossy.
adjective B2 property
2

sounding like you are giving orders

A bossy tone or voice sounds like an order.

Padrão de uso: a bossy [tone/voice/manner]
Erro comum:
Learners may overuse bossy for any 'strong' tone; it specifically implies giving orders and control.
Sinónimos
authoritarian (More formal; emphasizes strict authority.) | peremptory (More formal; emphasizes curt, final orders.)
Antónimos
polite (Shows respect rather than giving orders.) | suggestive (Offers ideas instead of directing.)
Colocações
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
Temas
communication |behavior |emotions
Exemplos
  • Her email sounded bossy, even though she didn’t mean it that way.
  • Try not to use such a bossy tone when you ask for help.
  • The note came across as bossy and impatient.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • His voice sounds bossy.
adjective informal C1 property
3

overly controlling or intrusive in design

Something is bossy if it keeps telling you what to do.

Padrão de uso: a bossy [app/software/feature/assistant]
Erro comum:
This use is usually informal and often humorous; it is not typical in very formal writing.
Sinónimos
intrusive (Focuses on unwanted interruptions.) | pushy (Emphasizes pressure rather than authority.)
Antónimos
unobtrusive (Does not get in the way or interrupt.) | hands-off (Leaves the user to decide without interference.)
Colocações
a bossy app |bossy software |a bossy assistant |bossy prompts |bossy notifications |a bossy pop-up |bossy recommendations
Temas
technology |design |daily_life
Exemplos
  • The new app feels bossy, with constant pop-ups telling me what to do next.
  • I turned off the bossy reminders because they were distracting.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • This app is bossy.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
bossy
IPA
GB/bˈɔsi/
US/bˈɔsi/
Sílabas e acento
bossy (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (bossy)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
  • Base: bossy
  • Comparative: bossier
  • Superlative: bossiest
Família de palavras
Forms
bossier adjective bossiest adjective
Core family
boss noun A2 bossiness noun
Related words
bossily adverb
Expressões

bossy boots

1
/bˈɔsi bˈuts/
fixed phrase informal

a bossy person (playful insult)

A playful name for someone who keeps giving orders.

Exemplos
  • All right, bossy boots—I'll do it your way this time.
  • Don’t be such a bossy boots and let him decide.

bossy-pants

1
/bˈɔsi pˈænts/
fixed phrase informal

a bossy person (humorous)

A funny name for a bossy person.

Exemplos
  • She’s being a total bossy-pants about where we eat.
  • Okay, bossy-pants, you plan the schedule then.

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