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Showing results for barrel-chested. Search instead for barrel chest.

barrel-chested

American  
[bar-uhl-ches-tid] / ˈbær əlˌtʃɛs tɪd /

adjective

  1. having a broad, prominent chest or thorax.


barrel-chested British  

adjective

  1. having a large rounded chest

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of barrel-chested

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

He’s of average height, deep-voiced and barrel-chested and tends to respond to questions with questions.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 9, 2026

The barrel-chested, red-bearded Mr. McCourt appeared regularly on soap operas — notably “Ryan’s Hope,” on which he had a recurring role as a barkeep — and played bit parts in several films.

From New York Times Mar. 11, 2024

He was a small man, barrel-chested and sweaty.

From Slate Jan. 27, 2024

The barrel-chested leader is often shown playing ice hockey or working in his vegetable garden.

From Washington Times May 15, 2023

Standing in front of Dad was a young, barrel-chested man wearing a shiny blue suit.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

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