sinewy

American  

[sin-yoo-ee] / ˈsɪn yu i /

adjective

1. having strong sinews; muscular; brawny.

   a sinewy back.

2. of or like sinews; tough, firm, braided, or resilient.

   a sinewy rope.

3. having conspicuous sinews; stringy.

   tough, sinewy meat.

4. vigorous or forceful, as language, style, etc..

   a sinewy argument.

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sinewy British  

/ ˈsɪnjʊɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of or resembling a tendon or tendons

2. muscular; brawny

3. (esp of language, style, etc) vigorous; forceful

4. (of meat, etc) tough; stringy

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Other Word Forms

• sinewiness
  noun
• unsinewy
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sinewy

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at sinew, -y ¹

Explanation

Something muscular, with a tight and stretched toughness, is sinewy. Tennis players' lean arms have a sinewy beauty, all the muscles showing as they hit their smoking serves. A sinew is a tendon that attaches muscles to bones, and something sinewy has a lot of sinew or shows a lot of built-up tissues. If you're a carpenter or a piano player, you probably have well-exercised, sinewy hands and fingers. Lines in nature, such as tree limbs and roots, can be sinewy too. Being sinewy is attractive when it's in good health, but it can also make you look too stretched or thin, even scrawny. Tough meat can be sinewy and unchewable.

Example Sentences

Sinewy and sweating, Phil looked up from the grill and saw a bearded man and a dark-haired woman.

From Washington Post • Oct. 5, 2018

Sinewy hooded jackets, fashioned in dark material in sometimes trapeze silhouettes, had a beautiful fabric trim in vivid color that beautifully blurred the lines between art and fashion.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 2, 2018

Sinewy, thin and wearing a long, green polo shirt, Eric declined to give his last name out of fear.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2017

Sinewy and strong at 6 feet 5 inches and 180 pounds, with dark hair often at shoulder length, Potter stood out for his looks and audacious achievements.

From New York Times • May 17, 2015

Sinewy, muscular warriors they were, with bodies partially painted, and long, straight hair, black as burnt wood, interwoven with bits of white bone, and plaited around waving eagle plumes.

From The Last Trail by Grey, Zane

Related Words

• brawny
• leathery
• muscular
• sturdy