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bushie

(AU, colloquial) Someone who lives in or is familiar with the Australian outback; a bushman or bushwoman.

ˈbʊʃiSilenthistorical294 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
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Australia
#1·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(AU, colloquial) Someone who lives in or is familiar with the Australian outback; a bushman or bushwoman.

For parents

"bushie" means someone who lives in or is familiar with the australian outback; a bushman or bushwoman. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.

For ESL learners

"bushie" is informal English meaning someone who lives in or is familiar with the australian outback; a bushman or bushwoman. It is mainly heard in Australian or New Zealand English. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "someone who lives in or is familiar with the australian outback" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "bushie" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.

Heard in the wild
  • “[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushie#bodyContent) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other uses, see [Bushi (disambiguation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushi_(disambiguation) "Bushi (disambiguation)").”

  • “4. [↑](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Bushie#cite_ref-4)["Ian Bushie \| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba"](https://www.gov.mb.ca/legislature/members/info/bushie.html). _www.gov.mb.ca_.”

  • “[Jump to content](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Bushie#bodyContent) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs **Rod Bushie** (c.”

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For specific readers

"bushie" means someone who lives in or is familiar with the australian outback; a bushman or bushwoman. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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Australia

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🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang

Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.

See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.

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