2 syllables: Bul, ly. Stress on Bul.
BUUL-ee
/ˈbʊli/
Bully is pronounced BUUL-ee (/ˈbʊli/). It has two syllables (Bul-ly), with the stress on "Bul". Bully (noun): a person who uses strength, influence, or intimidation to harm or dominate others, especially smaller or weaker individuals. The term can also describe actions of intimidation or harassment, and, historically, someone who taunts or mocks. In modern usage, it often refers to the behavior itself rather than the person, and can be applied to school, workplace, or online contexts.
nounBully (noun): a person who uses strength, influence, or intimidation to harm or dominate others, especially smaller or weaker individuals. The term can also describe actions of intimidation or harassment, and, historically, someone who taunts or mocks. In modern usage, it often refers to the behavior itself rather than the person, and can be applied to school, workplace, or online contexts.
- You might turn the short /ʊ/ into a broader /u:/ or /o/ sound, producing something like /ˈbuːli/; fix by relaxing the lips and keeping the tongue high and back for /ʊ/. - The /l/ can be too dark (velarized) or swallowed; aim for a lighter, airier /l/ by keeping the tip of the tongue at the alveolar ridge without back-of-mouth constriction. - The final /i/ may reduce to a schwa or vanish in fast speech; practise a crisp, brief /i/ with the jaw relaxed and the tongue high front. - In fast speech, you may skip the second syllable entirely; ensure you maintain two distinct syllables with a mild pause or clear separation to preserve the word’s identity.
How to Pronounce Bully
"The gym coach warned the team about the bully who taunts younger players."
"A bully spread cruel rumors online, hoping to scare others into silence."
"We reported the bully to the teacher after several aggressive incidents."
You pronounce it as /ˈbʊl.i/. The first syllable has primary stress: BUL, with the /ʊ/ as in book, followed by a light /l/ and a final /i/ as a short, unstressed vowel. In fast speech, the ending can sound like /-li/ with a quick, light /i/. IPA reference helps: /ˈbʊl.i/; mouth starts rounded for /ʊ/, then the tongue sits high and back for /ʊ/ and /l/, finishing with a simple /i/.
Common errors include: 1) replacing /ʊ/ with a more open /a/ sound as in 'ball' making /ˈbæli/. 2) de-voicing the final /i/ into a schwa or reducing it to nothing, sounding like /ˈbʊl/ or /ˈbul/. 3) misplacing the /l/ or making a dark L after a tense vowel. Correction tips: practice /ʊ/ with a tight-lipped, short vowel, ensure the /l/ is light and syllabic-free, and articulate a clear /i/ at the end with a relaxed jaw. Record and compare to native samples.
US: /ˈbʊl.i/ with a rounded /ʊ/ and a distinct final /i/. UK: similar /ˈbʊl.i/ but non-rhotic tendencies may affect the vowel duration a touch; often crisper /l/ and a slightly more clipped final vowel. AU: /ˈbʊl.i/ tends to be even more homogenous with a fast, flat intonation; the /ɫ/ is light and the final /i/ is quick. Across all, rhoticity is not a major factor here, but vowel quality and stress feel slightly more compressed in Australian speech.
The difficulty centers on the short, high back vowel /ʊ/ combined with a light /l/ and a clear final /i/. Many learners substitute /ʊ/ with /u:/ or /ɜː/, and the /l/ can become dark or non-syllabic in some dialects. Additionally, rapid speech often reduces the final /i/ to a schwa or drops it, changing the word’s rhythm. Practicing precise /ʊ/ tongue height and a crisp /l/ plus a distinct /i/ helps maintain the word’s characteristic rhythm.
A unique angle is the short, tense /ɪ/ vs /i/ distinction even though the ending is light; the /i/ tends to be a compact, near-close front vowel rather than a full 'ee' sound when spoken quickly. Emphasize clear separation between /l/ and /i/, especially in careful speech, to avoid blending into a single vowel. Pay attention to the transition from the /l/ to the final /i/.
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- US: maintain rhotic clarity, but /ɪ/ in the second syllable is not pronounced as a stronger /iː/. The /ʊ/ vowel is compact; avoid elongation. - UK: keep the /ʊ/ close to /u:/ but shorter, and ensure non-rhotic airflow doesn’t trip the vowel; the final /i/ remains short and light. - AU: vowel quality is often even more centralized; keep /ʊ/ tight and end with a quick /i/; avoid over-gesturing with the tongue. IPA references help compare subtle shifts: /ˈbʊl.i/ across regions.
Bully comes from the obsolete Dutch word boele, meaning ‘lover of good,’ which evolved in English through the Middle English sense of ‘to bully or sweet-talk’ and, by the 16th century, shifted toward intimidation and abuse. The current noun usage, referring to a person who uses strength or coercion to intimidate others, became common in the 20th century within school and workplace cultures. The term’s evolution mirrors social attitudes toward power dynamics and aggression. Early use often paired with verbs like “to threaten” or “to intimidate,” reinforcing a behavioral label rather than a fixed personality trait. The broader cultural lens around bullying has grown with awareness of online harassment, transforming the word’s connotation from simple strength to the harmful practice of exerting power over others.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Bully" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Bully" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Bully" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Bully"
-lly sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
