sinewy

/ˈsɪnjuːi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪnjuːi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsin-yə-wē also ˈsi-nə-/ (ame, mw)

sinewy — adjective

  • sinewypositive
  • more sinewycomparative
  • most sinewysuperlative

1. A person or part of the body that is sinewy looks thin yet has firm, well-define

1.形容詞C1
釋義

A person or part of the body that is sinewy looks thin yet has firm, well-defined muscles that are clearly visible under the skin — for example, the arms of a climber or the legs of a long-distance runner.

例句

Elena's sinewy arms swung her body up the cliff with ease.

attributive: sinewy + body part (arms)

The sinewy old fisherman lifted the heavy net as if it weighed nothing.

describing a person's build

同義詞
  • lean

    focuses on low body fat without the emphasis on visible muscle

  • wiry

    suggests a smaller, more flexible frame; often used for quick, energetic people

  • muscular

    broader term that can describe any degree of muscle development, including bulky build

反義詞
  • flabby

    describes soft, loose body tissue without firm muscle

  • plump

    describes a rounded, full figure without visible muscle definition

文法句型

sinewy + noun (body part / person)

be + sinewy

用法筆記

Describes a particular body type that is both thin and strong. Common in sports writing, adventure narratives, and descriptions of older people who remain physically active. More specific than 'muscular' (which can describe bulky muscles) or 'lean' (which does not imply visible muscle).

常見錯誤

❌My arms feel sinewy after lifting weights.
✅My arms look sinewy after months of training.
💡Sinewy describes appearance or build, not a physical sensation or feeling.
❌The dog was sinewy and fast.
✅The dog was lean and fast.
💡Sinewy is typically used for people, not animals.

2. Food, especially meat, that is sinewy contains tough fibres or white tendons tha

2.形容詞C1
釋義

Food, especially meat, that is sinewy contains tough fibres or white tendons that make it very difficult to cut or chew — often a sign of poor-quality meat or overcooking.

例句

The stew was ruined by chunks of sinewy meat that no one could chew.

sinewy + meat collocation

Wei threw down his fork after struggling with the sinewy steak for ten minutes.

同義詞
  • tough

    broader term; describes general difficulty chewing, not necessarily due to visible tendons

  • stringy

    focuses on long, fibrous texture, often used for overcooked meat

  • chewy

    describes food that requires prolonged chewing, not necessarily because of tendons

反義詞
  • tender

    easy to cut and chew; the direct opposite of sinewy meat

文法句型

sinewy + noun (meat)

be + sinewy

so + sinewy + that-clause

用法筆記

Applies almost exclusively to meat or animal tissue. Common in restaurant reviews, recipes (as a negative quality), and descriptions of game meat or poorly butchered cuts. The opposite is 'tender.' Not used for vegetables, bread, or other non-meat foods.

常見錯誤

❌This bread is sinewy.
✅This steak is sinewy.
💡Sinewy specifically refers to tough fibres or tendons in meat, not other foods.
❌I don't like sinewy vegetables.
✅I don't like stringy vegetables.
💡For plant-based foods with fibres, use 'stringy' or 'fibrous' instead.