build

Examples

• All

• Curiously, she said we had roughly the same build.

  Fletch (1985)

• The suspect is being described as a white male of medium build.

  Safe House (2012)

• A large woman, her height and build are almost the same as mine.

  Fiction book (1993)

• There was something solid about him, both in his build and his attitude.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Ed has a slight build, intense eyes, and a perpetual smile on his face.

  Academic text (2015)

• The boy's height and stocky, powerful build showed that he was maturing rapidly.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The boy had a lithe, athletic build and moved with a lightness of step that seemed practiced.

  Fiction book (1996)

• At forty-two, with sandy hair, mild gray eyes, and a slight build, nothing about Nick attracted immediate attention.

  Fiction book (1993)

• He's around forty, with wire-rimmed glasses, a Marine haircut, a slight build, and wearing navy prison overalls.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Mr. Jorgensen, a man of powerful build, was seated with his back to me.

Synonyms

B

body

vsbuild

∞ 1.0

All the physical parts of a person, animal, or plant

focuses on shape and structure specifically rather than the entire organism

F

figure

vsbuild

234 3.1

The shape of a person's body

means the simple physical shape rather than an artistic depiction

F

frame

vsbuild

183 2.5

A strong structure that holds a building, vehicle, or piece of furniture

emphasizes outer shape and form rather than internal support

P

physique

vsbuild

24 4.8

The shape, size, and condition of a person's body

is the broader neutral word for the same physical form

B

bod

vsbuild

• Informal

18 9.0

A person's body, especially their physical shape or appearance

is the neutral descriptive word used in more formal speech

B

body-build

vsbuild

3.2

The shape, size, and strength of a person's body

is the neutral general term for that same form

H

habitus

vsbuild

• Specialized

9.9

The natural shape and build of a person's body

is the everyday term used outside technical fields

Idioms

B

to build a moat

2 7.4

To dig a deep, wide ditch around a building and fill it with water to protect it

B

to build on sand

• Informal

1 7.6

To base a plan or belief on a weak foundation that will likely fail

B

to build a bridge and get over it

• Informal

9.4

Tell someone to stop worrying about a problem and move on

B

to build a fiefdom

8.9

To create a separate area of power for oneself inside an organization

B

build the plane while flying it

• Informal

9.4

Make or improve something while people already use it, fixing problems as you go

Compounds

B

build-out

• Specialized

5 4.5

Work to make a space ready for use, like an office or shop

B

body-build

3.2

The shape, size, and strength of a person's body

U

unmuscular build

5.7

A body with little muscle that looks thin or soft

Surface Forms

Etymology