muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər 

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

ˌmə-skyə-ˈla-rə-tē 

-ˈler-ə-tē

noun

muscularly

ˈməs-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of muscular

• athletic
• sinewy
• brawny
• powerful
• strong
• strapping
• sturdy

Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique.

His legs are very muscular.

Recent Examples on the Web

Fraser did Q&As and intros on Friday and Saturday in New York as Searchlight rolled out its usual muscular marketing across linear television, streaming and social media. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Nov. 2025

Torque is increased by 37 lb-ft to a muscular 406 lb-ft. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025

So of course the Creature in del Toro’s Frankenstein is a tall, muscular babe with bedroom eyes and glass-cutting cheekbones. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025

This visual clash — the strong, muscular horse working beneath layers of delicate petticoats — is one beloved by fashion. —Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing muscular

• Becker muscular dystrophy
• Becker's muscular dystrophy
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• muscular dystrophy

Rhymes for muscular

• arbuscular
• intermuscular
• neuromuscular

Kids Definition

muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər 

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 

1

a

: of, relating to, or constituting muscle

b

: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles

2

: having well-developed musculature

muscularly

ˈməs-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb