1. A person who exercises control over workers
   "if you want to leave early you have to ask the boss";
   - foreman, chief, gaffer [Brit, informal], honcho [N. Amer, informal]
    
2. A person who exercises control and makes decisions
   "he is his own boss now"
    
3. A person responsible for hiring workers
   "the boss hired three more men for the new job";
   - hirer
    
4. A leader in a political party who controls votes and dictates appointments
   "party bosses have a reputation for corruption"; "The old political boss still wielded considerable influence in the city";
   - party boss, political boss
    
5. A circular rounded projection or protuberance
   "The shield was decorated with a central boss";
   - knob

1. Repeatedly tell (someone) what to do in an overbearing, domineering, or intimidating way
   "Her big brother always bossed her when she was young"; "The team leader constantly bossed around the new employees";
   - strong-arm, bully, browbeat, bullyrag [N. Amer, informal], ballyrag [N. Amer, informal], boss around [informal], hector, push around [informal], push about [informal]
    
2. Mark, mould or decorate a surface with a raised design or symbol
   "The metalworker bossed an intricate pattern onto the shield";
   - emboss, stamp

1. Exceptionally good
   "a boss hand at carpentry";
   - brag [N. Amer, informal]

Derived forms: bossing, bosses, bossed

See also: superior

Type of: employer, impress, imprint, intimidate, leader, overlooker, pol [N. Amer, informal], political leader, politician, politico [informal], pollie [Austral, informal], polly [Austral, informal], projection, supervisor

Encyclopedia: Boss, Missouri