stocky

adjective

ˈstä-kē 

stockier; stockiest

: compact, sturdy, and relatively thick in build

stockily

ˈstä-kə-lē 

adverb

stockiness

ˈstä-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of stocky

• stout
• sturdy
• heavyset
• plump
• stubby
• thickset
• husky

Examples of stocky in a Sentence

That outfit makes you look stocky.

the stocky boxer's strength and speed more than make up for his opponent's longer reach

Recent Examples on the Web

Introduced in the 1970s to maintain the open grassy balds, these stocky, sure-footed ponies have become beloved icons. — Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026

The suspect is described as a White man in his 30s about 6 feet tall with a stocky build. — Juli McDonald, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Unlike paper wasps, yellow jackets have a shorter, stockier body with a less pronounced narrow waist. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026

His 6-foot, 205-pound stocky frame could give him a physicality edge, and his receiving ability could add an intrigue. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stocky

• blocky
• chalky
• cocky
• gawky
• hockey
• jockey
• khaki
• machi
• maki
• rocky
• talkie
• walkie

Kids Definition

stocky

adjective

ˈstäk-ē 

stockier; stockiest

: compact, sturdy, and quite thick in build : thickset

stockily

ˈstäk-ə-lē 

adverb

stockiness

-ē-nəs 

noun