adjective
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like beef
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informal muscular; brawny
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informal fleshy; obese
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of beefy
Explanation
Someone who's beefy has a big, dense, muscular body. Your beefy, loud-voiced gym teacher might turn out to be a sweet and thoughtful person. The adjective beefy is a bit derogatory — in other words, it's not exactly used as a compliment. If you describe a person as beefy, you imply that not only is he large, strong, and brawny, he might also be somewhat dense. You could also use the word to mean "tasting like beef," although that's much less common. The word dates from 1743, from the sense of "human muscle."
Vocabulary lists containing beefy
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Hello, Universe
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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.
Because nothing says clear skin like Cheesy Gordita Crunch and Beefy 5-Layer Burrito.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
For example, you can get a Cravings Value Menu Classic Combo, which includes a large drink, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, Crunchy Taco, and Chips and Nacho Cheese Sauce — all for about $5.
From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2022
Beefy saxophones and horns add richness, and with denser percussion, the overall effect is of a jungle or aviary, a swirling bustle — but in a dewy, pastoral key.
From New York Times • Jun. 23, 2021
Beefy and broad-shouldered, his stance and explosive swing are almost identical to those of his prodigious dad.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2019
They passed the edge of the forest, the same spot where Thorn and Seven had entered the other night to save Beefy, when a wet, gravelly growl stopped them in their tracks.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
