bull market: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, business, financial journalism
Quick answer
What does “bull market” mean?
A financial market characterized by rising prices and optimistic investor sentiment over a sustained period.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A financial market characterized by rising prices and optimistic investor sentiment over a sustained period.
A period of economic growth, prosperity, or widespread optimism in any domain, often used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or core usage. The term is used identically in both financial contexts.
Connotations
Identical positive connotations of growth, opportunity, and optimism in financial circles.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to the globalized nature of financial terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “bull market” in a Sentence
The [market/stock exchange] is in a bull market.Investors are bullish during a bull market.A bull market [lasted/continued] for X years.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bull market” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The market is bulling ahead with no sign of stopping.
- Traders hope the rally will bull through the resistance level.
American English
- The tech sector is bulling its way to new highs.
- After the positive report, investors began bulling the market.
adverb
British English
- Prices moved bullishly throughout the quarter.
- The fund performed bull market strongly.
American English
- Stocks traded bullishly after the announcement.
- Investors are acting bull market confident.
adjective
British English
- The bull market run has lasted three years.
- Analysts remain bull market optimistic.
American English
- We are in a bull market phase for equities.
- The bull market sentiment is palpable on Wall Street.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports, analyst notes, and board meetings to describe favorable market conditions for investment.
Academic
Used in economics and finance papers to define and analyse periods of sustained asset price appreciation.
Everyday
Used in news headlines and general discussions about the economy or stock prices doing well.
Technical
A defined period where a market index rises by 20% or more from a recent low, with widespread optimism.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bull market”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bull market”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bull market”
- Using 'bull market' to describe a single day's gains (it's a sustained period).
- Confusing 'bull market' with 'economic boom' (the former is specific to financial markets).
- Misspelling as 'bul market'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no fixed timeframe. It is defined by sustained upward price movement and sentiment, typically lasting months or years, not days or weeks.
Not necessarily. A bull market (rising asset prices) can occur due to factors like low interest rates or speculation, even if the underlying economy is weak.
The opposite is a 'bear market', characterized by falling prices (typically a 20%+ decline from recent highs) and widespread pessimism.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'We're in a bull market for streaming content' suggests a period of rapid growth and production in that industry.
A financial market characterized by rising prices and optimistic investor sentiment over a sustained period.
Bull market is usually formal, business, financial journalism in register.
Bull market: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbʊl ˌmɑːkɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbʊl ˌmɑːrkɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Riding the bull”
- “Bull run”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bull lifting something with its horns UP. A bull market lifts prices UP.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARKET IS AN ANIMAL (specifically, a bull representing strength and upward motion).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a bull market?