ectomorphic

American  

[ek-tuh-mawr-fik] / ˌɛk təˈmɔr fɪk /

adjective

1. having a thin body build, roughly characterized by the relative prominence of structures developed from the embryonic ectoderm (contrasted with endomorphic, mesomorphic).

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Other Word Forms

• ectomorphy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of ectomorphic

First recorded in 1935–40; ecto- + -morphic

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ectomorphic

The researchers also concluded the top division players "are getting more angular and ectomorphic".

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Only a few years ago, he was a mystery, this international big man from Paris with an ectomorphic frame, graceful moves and a gentle, looping teardrop of a jump shot.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 1, 2026

The body type favored by most designers remains ectomorphic.

From New York Times ● Jan. 19, 2011

On Thursday, Mr. Schleck and Mr. Contador would ascend the decisive Col du Tourmalet together, like an ectomorphic Butch and Sundance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2010

These three components are mixed in various proportions in different people, and they seem to correlate, roughly but by no means exactly, with the endomorphic, mesomorphic and ectomorphic physical components, in that order.

From Time Magazine Archive