rotund

adjective

ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd
Synonyms of rotundnext
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 noun
rotundly
rō-ˈtənd-lē How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd-
adverb
rotundness
rō-ˈtən(d)-nəs How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd-
noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Briefly appearing in a TikTok video about the new MacBook Neo, a brand-new, rotund character based on Apple's iconic Finder application, the file manager on Apple computers, is taking the internet by storm. Greta Cross, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026 His rotund frame and bald head gave him the appearance of a human bowling ball. Gabriel Sherman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026 Fast forward to today, and, somehow, the tremendously rotund AMG GT rips down twisty roads with nearly as much athleticism as fare weighing 2,000-or-more pounds less. Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for rotund

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotund was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rotund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotund. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

rotund

adjective
ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd
1
: somewhat round
2
rotundity noun

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