burly

/ˈbɜːli/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɚli] /ˈbɜːrli/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɚli] /ˈbər-lē How to pronounce burly (audio)/ (ame, mw)

burly — adjective

  • burlypositive
  • burliercomparative
  • burliestsuperlative

1. describes someone, usually a man, whose body is broad, heavy, and powerful, givi

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes someone, usually a man, whose body is broad, heavy, and powerful, giving an impression of rough physical strength

例句

The burly porter lifted both suitcases onto the train without pausing.

collocation: burly porter

At the festival gate, a burly guard checked bags with a calm voice.

burly + job role

同義詞
  • muscular

    more neutral and focused on visible muscle, without the heavy or rough image

  • brawny

    close in meaning, but slightly more vivid and a little more old-fashioned

  • stocky

    emphasizes short, solid proportions more than sheer strength

反義詞
  • slender

    gracefully thin rather than broad and heavy

  • scrawny

    unpleasantly thin and lacking physical power

  • frail

    physically weak and easily tired or hurt

文法句型

burly + noun

be + burly

look + burly

用法筆記

Most often used for men, and it usually suggests a rough, work-ready appearance rather than the lean strength of an athlete. It is less neutral than 'muscular' and often appears in descriptions of guards, drivers, or laborers.

常見錯誤

❌The burly table lasted for decades.
✅The sturdy table lasted for decades.
💡'burly' describes people, not the strength of objects.
❌The runner has a burly body.
✅The runner has a lean, muscular body.
💡'burly' suggests a broad, heavy build, not a light athletic one.