stout
/staʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /staʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstau̇t/ (ame, mw)
stout — adjective
- stoutpositive
- stoutercomparative
- stoutestsuperlative
1. having a heavy, thick body — used as a polite way to describe someone, especiall
having a heavy, thick body — used as a polite way to describe someone, especially an older person, who is fat around the middle.
Reuben had become quite stout since retiring from the army.
polite alternative to 'fat' for older people
A stout woman in a flowered dress sat beside Nia on the train.
attributive use before a noun
The painting shows a stout, red-cheeked farmer holding a clay jug.
Grandma Eleni is short and stout, with kind eyes and grey hair.
用法筆記
Frequently used as a softer, more polite alternative to 'fat', especially of older men or matronly women. Distinguish from sense 2 (about objects) and sense 3 (about character).
常見錯誤
2. made of thick material that does not break or bend easily, so that an object can
made of thick material that does not break or bend easily, so that an object can take heavy use without giving way.
Saira packed her stout walking boots for the trip up the mountain.
common collocation: stout boots / shoes
The cottage door was made of stout oak and three iron locks.
Joaquín leaned on a stout wooden stick as he climbed the path.
The campers fastened the tent ropes to a stout post in the ground.
用法筆記
Object is usually something that must resist force — boots, rope, door, stick, post, fence. Distinguish from sense 1 (about people) by context: a stout boot is sturdy, a stout man is fat.
常見錯誤
3. showing brave and firm resistance, especially when defending something or refusi
showing brave and firm resistance, especially when defending something or refusing to give up under pressure.
The villagers put up a stout defence against the soldiers for three days.
very common collocation: put up a stout defence / resistance
Christopher remained a stout supporter of the union all his working life.
collocation: stout supporter / defender / ally
Despite the criticism, the mayor offered a stout defence of the new tax.
Talia's stout refusal to lie in court impressed even the judge.
- staunch
near-equivalent; very common in 'staunch supporter / defender'
- resolute
more formal; emphasises unshaken decision
- unwavering
stresses continuity over time
- feeble
emphasises weakness of the effort
用法筆記
Almost always before an abstract noun like 'defence', 'resistance', 'refusal', 'supporter', 'denial'. Rare in predicative position ('she was stout' would normally be read as sense 1).
常見錯誤
stout — noun
1. a heavy, almost black beer with a strong, slightly burnt taste, brewed from roas
a heavy, almost black beer with a strong, slightly burnt taste, brewed from roasted barley.
Hyun ordered a pint of stout and a plate of oysters at the pub.
classic pairing: stout and oysters
Irish stout is famous for the thick cream-coloured foam on top.
common topic: Irish stout / Guinness-style stout
The brewery in Dublin has been making stout since 1759.
Tuan poured the stout slowly so the foam would settle properly.
- porter
historically related dark beer; slightly lighter and less burnt than stout
用法筆記
Often uncountable when referring to the drink in general ('I prefer stout to lager'), but countable when ordering a serving ('two stouts, please').
常見錯誤
2. a category of clothing made wider than the standard cut, for people with a large
a category of clothing made wider than the standard cut, for people with a larger or heavier build.
The department store kept a small rack of suits in stouts at the back.
plural form 'stouts' for the size category
Yara asked the tailor whether the shop carried jackets in stout sizes.
common collocation: stout sizes
Old catalogues often listed children's clothes as regular, slim, or stout.
Indra found a navy winter coat marked as a stout fitting on the rail.
- slim
as a clothing-size category
用法筆記
Largely an older or trade term, mostly seen in tailoring and catalogue contexts. Modern brands tend to say 'big', 'plus', or 'husky' instead. Usually marked attributively ('stout sizes', 'in stouts').