muscle
11 synonyms for muscle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Body tissue that contracts to produce movement.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use muscle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
build muscle
pull a muscle
flex your muscles
muscle memory
Etymology
From Latin musculus ("little mouse"), because a flexing muscle under the skin was thought to look like a small mouse moving. It shares this root with "mussel."
Full origin of muscle →Frequently asked questions
What does “muscle” mean?
The word “muscle” means body tissue that contracts to produce movement. In plain terms, the tissue that lets your body move, or more broadly, strength and power.
How do you pronounce “muscle”?
“Muscle” is pronounced MUHS-uhl (/ˈmʌs.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “muscle” in a sentence?
Here is “muscle” used in a sentence: “Running builds muscle in your legs.”
What part of speech is “muscle”?
Depending on how it is used, “muscle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “muscle” come from?
The word “muscle” comes from Latin. From Latin musculus ("little mouse"), because a flexing muscle under the skin was thought to look like a small mouse moving. It shares this root with "mussel.".
Is “muscle” a common word?
“Muscle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “muscle” have?
“Muscle” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: body tissue that contracts to produce movement.
What is the difference between muscle and mussel?
They sound identical but mean very different things. A muscle is body tissue that contracts to create movement, like the muscles in your arms and legs. A mussel is an edible shellfish — a shelled mollusc that lives in water. Same pronunciation, different spelling: 'muscle' for the body, 'mussel' for the seafood.
What are the three types of muscle?
The body has three kinds of muscle. Skeletal muscle attaches to bones and moves the body under conscious control. Smooth muscle lines organs such as the gut and works automatically. Cardiac muscle is found only in the heart, contracting steadily and tirelessly throughout life without you having to think about it.
Can muscle be built?
Yes. Muscle grows in response to being worked against resistance, a process called hypertrophy. Regular strength training — lifting weights, bodyweight exercises or similar — creates tiny stresses that the body repairs by making the muscle fibres thicker and stronger. Adequate protein, rest and recovery are essential for that growth to happen.
