buxom

American  

[buhk-suhm] / ˈbʌk səm /

adjective

1. (of a woman) full-bosomed.

2. (of a woman) healthy, plump, cheerful, and lively.

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buxom British  

/ ˈbʌksəm /

adjective

1. (esp of a woman) healthily plump, attractive, and vigorous

2. (of a woman) full-bosomed

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Other Word Forms

• buxomly
  adverb
• buxomness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of buxom

1125–75; Middle English, earlier buhsum pliant, equivalent to Old English būh (variant stem of būgan to bow ¹ ) + -sum -some ¹

Explanation

Buxom is a word that's typically used to describe someone who's full-figured or voluptuous. Although anyone plump and healthy can be buxom, buxom implies having a full chest area. A man can be described as buxom if he has a big barrel chest, but buxom usually describes women. The word buxom used to mean “obedient,” then it meant “cheerful,” and now it’s used just as a physical description.

Example Sentences

It had everything: mythical beasts, witches, wizards, talking cats, buxom trees, drunk skeletons – and all of it underscored by the dulcet harmonies of '70s light rock darlings, America.

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2022

Spanish novelist Cervantes tells of gaunt, aging and bemused Don Quixote, portly Sancho and buxom Dulcinea.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 18, 2020

And there is action aplenty, including John Keene’s busy all-male chorus — some of whom are dressed as buxom, bearded servant women to great effect.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2019

Donna Douglas, who played the buxom tomboy Elly May Clampett on the hit 1960s sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies,” died Jan. 1 in Baton Rouge.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2015

My Miss Kirwin, who was a tall, florid, buxom lady with battleship-gray hair, taught civics and current events.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou