General
hench
What does hench mean?
Muscular, physically powerful, visibly jacked. Said with a hint of respect — being hench is a status. Works for men far more than women in standard use.
"He's gone properly hench since he started training, didn't recognise him."
Origin
British slang, possibly a contraction of 'henchman' — the muscle. Took off in London through the 2000s and is now standard UK English among under-40s.
Frequently asked questions
Is hench the same as buff?
Close but not identical. Buff covers attractive and well-built; hench is specifically about being muscular and strong. You can be hench without being anyone's type.
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