stout
Stout (adj) means Solidly built; somewhat fat. Example: “The stout old farmer had hands like shovels.”
How to use stout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither bodily thickset, or firm and determined in spirit — and separately, a strong dark beer like Guinness.
Calling someone "stout" about their build is a softer, more polite word than "fat", not an insult.
Word forms
stouter comparative, stouted past tense, stouts plural, stouts plural, Stouts plural, stouts singular, stoutest superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ old farmer had hands like shovels.
Etymology
From Old French estout ("brave, proud"), from Frankish stolt, ultimately from a root meaning "bold, proud". The original sense was about courage; the meaning shifted to "thickset, fat" as a politer way of describing size, from around 1804.
Rhymes for stout
See all rhymes for stout →Frequently asked questions
What does “stout” mean?
The word “stout” means solidly built; somewhat fat. In plain terms, either bodily thickset, or firm and determined in spirit — and separately, a strong dark beer like Guinness.
How do you pronounce “stout”?
“Stout” is pronounced stowt (/staʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “stout” in a sentence?
Here is “stout” used in a sentence: “The stout old farmer had hands like shovels.”
What part of speech is “stout”?
Depending on how it is used, “stout” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “stout” come from?
The word “stout” dates back to around 1804 and comes from Old French.
Is “stout” a common word?
“Stout” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “stout” have?
“Stout” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: solidly built; somewhat fat.