bolshie

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Bolshevik (Russian большеви́к (bolʹševík), the socialist party in the 1918 Russian Revolution, from Russian большевики́ (bolʹševikí, “majority faction”), +‎ -ie.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbɒl.ʃi/

Noun

bolshie (plural bolshies)

  1. (derogatory, British, dated) A government leftist, especially a communist, socialist, or labour union leader.

Adjective

bolshie (comparative bolshier, superlative bolshiest)

  1. (UK) Difficult or rebellious.
    Kate, don't be so bolshie!
    • 2004, Alan Hollinghurst, chapter 16, in The Line of Beauty […], London: Picador, →ISBN:
      Rachel came in, and Nick felt he'd been caught larking about, Catherine squashing him like some bolshie teenage attempt at seduction.
    • 2026 January 2, Nathan Bevan, “Weight-loss jabs MP faced 'constant cruel abuse' from trolls”, in BBC News‎[1]:
      "How I looked or what I was wearing had become more import than my politics, " the 65-year-old told BBC Wales Breakfast. "I can be bolshie if I'm fighting for a cause or for someone else, but deep down I'm very sensitive."

Alternative forms

Synonyms

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