adjective
burly
BUR-lee
Burly (adjective) means Large, well-built, and muscular, especially of a man. Example: “A burly security guard blocked the entrance.”
adjective
1
Large, well-built, and muscular, especially of a man.
"He’s a big, burly rugby player who works as a landscape gardener."
"A burly security guard blocked the entrance."
"His burly arms made short work of the heavy boxes."
How to use burly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPhysically big, strong, and solidly built.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a burly man
burly arms
a burly figure
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like burly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- burlier, more burly
- Superlative
- burliest, most burly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ security guard blocked the entrance.
Etymology
From Middle English burly/burlich, meaning "tall, stately" — likely tracing back to Old English roots meaning "noble" or "raised, high," though its exact origin is debated.
Related words
Rhymes for burly
See all rhymes for burly →Frequently asked questions
What does “burly” mean?
The word “burly” means large, well-built, and muscular, especially of a man. In plain terms, physically big, strong, and solidly built.
How do you pronounce “burly”?
“Burly” is pronounced BUR-lee (/bɝli/ in IPA).
How do you use “burly” in a sentence?
Here is “burly” used in a sentence: “A burly security guard blocked the entrance.”
What part of speech is “burly”?
“Burly” is an adjective.
Where does the word “burly” come from?
The word “burly” comes from Old English. From Middle English burly/burlich, meaning "tall, stately" — likely tracing back to Old English roots meaning "noble" or "raised, high," though its exact origin is debated.
