thewy

9.9

Has strong, large muscles that show on the body

adjective
/ˈθjuːi/

Archaic

: musculoso

After months of training, she became thewy and strong enough to lift heavy weights.

Examples

He admired his thewy arms in the mirror, proud of his hard work at the gym.
Madeira closed a thewy hand over Ruth's fist.

Fiction book (1997)
The bodybuilder displayed his thewy physique during the competition.

Synonyms

muscular

vsthewy

49 2.8

Having strong, well-developed muscles

is the alternative form with the same general muscle meaning

muscly

vsthewy

Informal

2 3.7

A person with large, strong muscles

is the neutral term for strong, well developed muscles rather than appearance

muscled

vsthewy

3.0

Having a strong body like a fit athlete

refers more generally to having strong, well developed muscles without prominence

ripped

vsthewy

Slang

3.7

Having strong, clearly visible muscles from exercise

describes strong muscles broadly without requiring extreme definition or visibility

Antonyms

weak

524 1.0

Not strong in body or muscles and easily tired

unmuscular

4.4

Having weak muscles and little physical strength

How Muscular

burly

24 4.6

brawny

6 4.7

thewy

Archaic

9.9

toned

2.9

lean

108 2.5

scrawny

Informal

40 4.2

Surface Forms

thewy positive

Morphology

thewy = thew (transparent) = thew + y

Formed by the noun 'thew' + the adjectival suffix '-y', so the meaning 'having muscular strength' follows directly, though 'thew' is archaic/rare and may be unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Thewy comes from the old English word thew meaning 'muscle' or 'strength', seen in the phrase 'thews and sinews'. So a thewy person is someone with strong, well-made muscles.