muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
3
a
: of or relating to physical strength : brawny
b
: having strength of expression or character : vigorous
muscular prose
c
: characterized by forcefulness or resolve
muscular foreign policy
d
: full-bodied
muscular wines
muscularity noun
muscularly adverb

Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique. His legs are very muscular.
Recent Examples on the Web The full-size luxury sedan, which is the oldest nameplate on this list, is commanding, muscular, and sophisticated in equal measure. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Feb. 2024 Despite its severity, SPS is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed due to its rarity and the broad range of its symptoms, which can resemble those of other neurological and muscular disorders. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 That’s a 60% increase from the 60W offered by its predecessor and is muscular enough to power the latest flagship MacBooks. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The live performances based off those album tracks were a bit more muscular and engrossing than on album. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 The 22-year-old Matos, meanwhile, clearly took to heart the club’s directive to bulk up this offseason, looking noticeably more muscular below the new set of cornrows on his head. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2024 Brown is a stunning dancer — tall, lithe and muscular — with a decent singing voice. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2024 Whereas that four-door was big and bulky, the concept is muscular and sophisticated. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024 In the United States, thin women and muscular men are glamorized. Sarah Scott, Parents, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'muscular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscular was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near muscular

Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscular. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being muscle
b
: performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed muscles : strong

Medical Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
muscularly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on muscular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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