What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Gully vs Bully - What's the difference?

gully | bully |

In obsolete terms the difference between gully and bully

is that gully is to flow noisily while bully is a brisk, dashing fellow.

In transitive terms the difference between gully and bully

is that gully is to wear away into a gully or gullies while bully is to act aggressively towards.

As an adjective bully is

very good; excellent.

As an interjection bully is

well done.

gully

English

Alternative forms

* gulley (Etymology 1)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) golet, from (etyl) goulet, from (etyl) .

Noun

(wikipedia gully) (gullies)
  • A trench, ravine or narrow channel which was worn by water flow, especially on a hillside.
  • A small valley.
  • (UK) A drop kerb.
  • A road drain.
  • (cricket) A fielding position on the off side about 30 degrees behind square, between the slips and point; a fielder in such a position
  • (UK) A grooved iron rail or tram plate.
  • Verb

  • (obsolete) To flow noisily.
  • (Johnson)
  • To wear away into a gully or gullies.
  • Etymology 2

    Scots , of unknown origin.

    Noun

    (gullies)
  • (Scotland, northern UK) A large knife.
  • * 1883 , , page 139:
  • With that I made my mind up, took out my gully , opened it with my teeth, and cut one strand after another...
    References
    Gullies And Other Knives ----

    bully

    English

    (wikipedia bully)

    Noun

  • A person who is cruel to others, especially those who are weaker or have less power.
  • A playground bully pushed a girl off the swing.
    I noticed you being a bully towards people with disabilities.
  • A noisy, blustering fellow, more insolent than courageous; one who is threatening and quarrelsome; an insolent, tyrannical fellow.
  • * Palmerston
  • Bullies seldom execute the threats they deal in.
  • A hired thug.
  • A prostitute’s minder; a pimp.
  • (uncountable) Bully beef.
  • (obsolete) A brisk, dashing fellow.
  • "Bully Bottom" from A Midsummer Night's Dream, III, i, 6.
  • The small scrum in the Eton College field game.
  • A small freshwater fish.
  • Synonyms

    * (hired thug) henchman, thug * (pimp) pimp, ponce

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To intimidate (someone) as a bully.
  • You shouldn't bully people for being gay.
  • To act aggressively towards.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011
  • , date=January 15 , author=Sam Sheringham , title=Chelsea 2 -03 Blackburn Rovers , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The Potters know their strengths and played to them perfectly here, out-muscling Bolton in midfield and bullying the visitors' back-line at every opportunity. }}

    Synonyms

    * (intimidate) browbeat, hector, intimidate, ride roughshod over * (act aggressively toward) push around, ride roughshod over

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (US, slang) Very good; excellent.
  • a bully horse
  • (slang) Jovial and blustering; dashing.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Bless thee, bully doctor.

    Synonyms

    * (excellent) excellent, marvellous/marvelous, splendid, super, superb, top-notch

    Derived terms

    * bully boy * bully pulpit

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (often, followed by for) Well done!
  • She's finally leaving her abusive husband — bully for her!

    Synonyms

    * bravo, well done, see also .