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Definition of portly

portly

/ˈpɔːrt.li/
port · ly
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portly Lexical Profile

portly Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having a stout, round, or somewhat heavy body build, especially in a dignified or middle-aged person.

Example

"The portly gentleman adjusted his waistcoat and settled into the leather armchair."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for portly
Antonyms
View all antonyms for portly

Word Nuance & Usage

"Portly" is typically used as a polite or mildly humorous way to describe an older man with a round, stout build, rather than being overtly insulting.

• Rhymes for portly

• Nearby Words

portion
portland
portliness
portly
portmanteau
porto
porto alegre

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the early 16th century from the noun "port" (meaning a person's bearing or demeanor, from Latin portare, "to carry") plus "-ly". It originally meant "stately" or "dignified in appearance" before shifting to describe the well-fed physique associated with prosperous older gentlemen.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Portly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/portly
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