Old Bill
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The police force.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
A soldier, especially one who resembles the cartoon character of the same name created by Bruce Bairnsfather in 1914.
Register: dated, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “Old Bill” mean?
A police officer.
Is “Old Bill” formal or informal?
Old Bill is generally slang.