zaftig

American  

[zahf-tig, -tik] / ˈzɑf tɪg, -tɪk /

Also zoftig

adjective

Slang.

1. (of a woman) having a pleasantly plump figure.

2. full-bodied; well-proportioned.

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Etymology

Origin of zaftig

First recorded in 1935–40; from Yiddish zaftik, literally, “juicy, succulent”; compare Middle High German saftec, derivative of saf(t), Old High German saf ( German Saft ) “juice, sap”; see sap ¹,

Explanation

Use the adjective zaftig to describe a woman who is attractively curvy. The word zaftig is almost always used to describe a voluptuous body. You might admire a particularly zaftig sculpture of Venus in a museum of classical antiquities, for example. The word comes from the Yiddish zaftik, which literally means "juicy," from zaft, or "juice," and it became a common English adjective in the 1930s.

Example Sentences

She knew what “The Muppet Show” star symbolized and recognized what she meant to her misfit youngest, a zaftig kid frequently chided for taking up too much space.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

Especially commendable is Zamit, who in addition to Mrs. Darling and the housekeeper, plays a Tinkerbell too zaftig to fly, among other roles.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2023

Now a Guggenheim fellow, Machado was once conditioned to accept that zaftig women are undeserving of worship.

From Washington Post • Nov. 4, 2019

I believe that this, like the word zaftig, really can be a compliment, when applied under the correct conditions.

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2018

Grandpa Izzy says that Margaret is zaftig, which is Yiddish for pleasingly plump.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• awkward
• big
• bulky
• burdensome
• considerable
• cumbersome
• excessive
• fat
• hefty
• huge
• large
• massive
• substantial
• unwieldy
• weighty