SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

zaftig

adjective
Save Word
zaf·​tig | \ ˈzäf-tig How to pronounce zaftig (audio) , ˈzȯf- How to pronounce zaftig (audio) \
variants: or less commonly \ ˈzȯf-​tig How to pronounce zaftig (audio) \

Definition of zaftig

of a woman
: having a full rounded figure : pleasingly plump
Zaftig Has Yiddish Origins Example Sentences Learn More About zaftig

Zaftig Has Yiddish Origins

Zaftig is one of a number of Yiddish-derived words that entered the English language during the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. It comes from Yiddish zaftik, which means "juicy" or "succulent" and itself derives from zaft, meaning "juice" or "sap."

Examples of zaftig in a Sentence

The actress playing the lead role was a zaftig blonde.

First Known Use of zaftig

1926, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for zaftig

Yiddish zaftik juicy, succulent, from zaft juice, sap, from Middle High German saf, saft, from Old High German saf — more at sap

Learn More About zaftig

Listen to Our Podcast About zaftig

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near zaftig

zaffer

zaftig

zag

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for zaftig

Cite this Entry

“Zaftig.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zaftig. Accessed 18 May. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More from Merriam-Webster on zaftig

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for zaftig

WORD OF THE DAY

indoctrinate

Listen to the pronunciation of indoctrinate

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Eponyms: Words Named After People

  • rubens painting
  • What is the best definition of boycott?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games