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burly

[ bur-lee ]
/ ˈbɜr li /
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Definition of burly

adjective, burĀ·liĀ·er, burĀ·liĀ·est.
large in bodily size; stout; sturdy.
bluff; brusque.
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Origin of burly

1250–1300; Middle English borli, burli,Old English borlÄ«ce (adv.) excellently, equivalent to bor(a) ruler + -lÄ«ce-ly

OTHER WORDS FROM burly

burĀ·liĀ·ly, adverbburĀ·liĀ·ness, noununĀ·burĀ·ly, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use burly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for burly

burly
/ (ˈbɜːlɪ) /

adjective -lier or -liest
large and thick of build; sturdy; stout

Derived forms of burly

burliness, noun

Word Origin for burly

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Old High German burlīh lofty
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Ā© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Ā© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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