stout

1 of 2

adjective

ˈstau̇t 

1

: strong of character: such as

a

: brave, bold

b

: firm, determined

also : obstinate, uncompromising

2

: physically or materially strong:

a

: sturdy, vigorous

b

: staunch, enduring

c

: sturdily constructed : substantial

3

: forceful

a stout attack

also : violent

a stout wind

4

a

: bulky in body : fat

b

: broad in proportion to length : large in diameter

a stout fly

a stout bird's bill

stoutish

ˈstau̇-tish 

adjective

stoutly adverb

stoutness noun

stout

2 of 2

noun

1

: a very dark, full-bodied ale with a distinctive malty flavor that is typically brewed with unmalted roasted barley

Stout is a darker, heavily hopped ale that has a creamy head in the glass …

—Anthony Dias Blue

2

a

: a fat person

b

: a clothing size designed for the large figure

Synonyms

Adjective

• cast-iron
• hard
• hard-bitten
• hardened
• hardy
• inured
• rugged
• strong
• sturdy
• tough
• toughened
• vigorous

Choose the Right Synonym for stout

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure.

strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

strong arms

the defense has a strong case

stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

stout hiking boots

sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

a sturdy table

people of sturdy independence

stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

stalwart environmentalists

tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

a tough political opponent

tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

Examples of stout in a Sentence

Adjective

He has a stout heart.

His lawyer put up a stout defense in court.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That pair earned a 57 percent expected goal rate while playing matchup minutes in the regular season, but their defense wasn’t as stout against the Devils in Round 1. —The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 3 May 2025

Or try Tower Arch Trail (3.4 miles roundtrip), which takes you to a stout, wide arch near a tower. —Maya Silver, Outside Online, 2 May 2025

Noun

The vintage/modern taproom located in Maui’s upcountry serves up a variety of brews, including a hazy IPA, imperial stout, brown ale, blonde, lager and several sours. —Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Producing award-winning craft beers in a 10-barrel brewery, the selection includes lagers, pilsners, porters, stouts, bocks, crème ales, Belgians, pale ales and IPAs. —Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French estut, estout, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German stolz proud; perhaps akin to Old High German stelza stilt — more at stilt

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing stout

• milk stout

Rhymes for stout

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout

Kids Definition

stout

1 of 2 adjective

ˈstau̇t 

1

: strong of character : brave, bold

2

: physically or materially strong : sturdy, vigorous

3

: forceful

a stout attack

4

: bulky in body : overweight

stoutly adverb

stoutness noun

stout

2 of 2 noun

: a dark heavy beer