rotund

adjective

ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd 

ˈrō-ˌtənd

1

: marked by roundness : rounded

2

: marked by fullness of sound or cadence : orotund, sonorous

a master of rotund diction

3

: notably plump : chubby

rotundity

rō-ˈtən-də-tē 

noun

rotundly

rō-ˈtənd-lē 

ˈrō-ˌtənd-

adverb

rotundness

rō-ˈtən(d)-nəs 

ˈrō-ˌtənd-

noun

Synonyms of rotund

• plump
• fat
• round

Examples of rotund in a Sentence

a rotund little man who, predictably, was asked to play Santa every year

the actor's distinct baritone and his clear and rotund elocution are especially effective in dramatic readings

Recent Examples on the Web

This movie re-creates the makeover montage, replete with the prosthetics and the gay brother, as well as the party scene wherein the protagonist must appear as both themselves and their rotund elderly character. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025

VanTuyle wound up doing the walrus voice for the final version of the movie, which just might make the tusk, whiskered, somewhat dopey and pleasingly rotund character a star. —Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 26 Nov. 2025

The Moomins, created by Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson during WWII, are gentle, rotund trolls who live in Moominvalley, a magical place where adventures are always waiting around the corner and the values of friendship, bravery and respect are ever-present. —Carole Horst, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025

The rotund bomb is similar to the one used in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki. —Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin rotundus, probably alteration of Old Latin *retundus; akin to Latin rota wheel — more at roll

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rotund

• fecund
• refund
• secund
• and
• bund
• fund
• gunned
• hund
• mund
• shunned
• stunned

Kids Definition

rotund

adjective

ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd 

ˈrō-ˌtənd

1

: somewhat round

2

: plump entry 5

rotundity

rō-ˈtən-dət-ē 

noun