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muscly

muscly

2 3.7
A person with large, strong muscles
  • adjective
  • /ˈmʌsli/
  • Informal
: musculoso
  • She admired the muscly arms of the bodybuilder as he lifted weights at the gym.

I'm still pretty, I'm muscly, I'm fair, I'm lean, I'm in Florida, I've got a tan.

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Examples

  • I'm still pretty, I'm muscly, I'm fair, I'm lean, I'm in Florida, I've got a tan.

  • The actor got into shape for his role, showcasing a truly muscly appearance.

  • So, Luke, what brings your muscly arms out this way?

  • My boyfriend is not a muscly man.

    Blog text (16)
  • My boyfriend is a muscly man, haha.

    Blog text (16)
  • I lift weights five days a week and look like a typical muscly "meathead."

    Blog text (10)
  • In the US, we have huge, muscly heroes like Hulk and Thor, while Asia prefers manga-style characters with virtually no semblance of muscles.

    Blog text (6)
  • His muscly physique made him a standout among the athletes on the team.

Synonyms

muscular
vsmuscly
55 2.8

Having strong, well-developed muscles

focuses more on outward strong appearance than on physical power alone
hunky
vsmuscly
  • Informal
18 7.1

Having a strong, attractive body, often used about a man

focuses on strength of appearance rather than attractiveness alongside it
wiry
vsmuscly
18 4.8

A person or animal that is thin, strong, and has little fat

denotes a generally stronger, fuller appearance rather than lean toughness
ripped
vsmuscly
  • Slang
16 3.7

Having strong, clearly visible muscles from exercise

describes general strong appearance without stressing sharp muscle definition
toned
vsmuscly
16 2.9

With firm, well shaped muscles from regular exercise

leans toward a broadly strong look rather than fitness tone and definition
beefy
vsmuscly
15 4.0

A large strong person or animal with big, heavy muscles

suggests strong appearance without implying large, heavy build
muscled
vsmuscly
13 3.0

Having a strong body like a fit athlete

is about an overall strong, muscular appearance rather than just visible prominence
sinewy
vsmuscly
7 7.0

Having strong, visible muscles and little fat

implies a fuller strong appearance rather than lean tough muscle form
mesomorphic
vsmuscly
1 9.0

A body type with a strong, muscular build and wide shoulders

is narrower, stressing visible strong appearance rather than body type classification
thewy
vsmuscly
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Has strong, large muscles that show on the body

is similar but emphasizes general strong appearance rather than vigor

Antonyms

2 3.7

Soft and loose areas of the body without firm muscle

1 4.4

Having weak muscles and little physical strength

How Muscular

ripped
  • Slang
16 3.7
muscly
  • Informal
2 3.7
fit
153 1.0
lean
140 2.5
scrawny
  • Informal
44 4.2

Surface Forms

muscly positive
musclyer comparative
musclyest superlative

Morphology

muscly = muscle (transparent) = muscle + y

Formed directly from 'muscle' + '-y' meaning 'having muscles', a clear derivation for learners.

Etymology

The word muscly comes from muscle, which comes from the Latin musculus meaning 'little mouse', because people thought muscles looked like small mice under the skin. So muscly means 'having well-developed muscles' or a strong, muscular look.