Falstaffian

American  

[fawl-staf-ee-uhn] / fɔlˈstæf i ən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the qualities of Falstaff, especially his robust, bawdy humor, good-natured rascality, and brazen braggadocio.

   Falstaffian wit.

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Falstaffian British  

/ fɔːlˈstɑːfɪən /

adjective

1. jovial, plump, and dissolute

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Etymology

Origin of Falstaffian

First recorded in 1800–10; Falstaff + -ian

Example Sentences

Memorable figures include the town barber and perpetual bachelor, Jayber Crow, and the Falstaffian 300-pound farmer Ptolemy Proudfoot, who lives happily with his diminutive wife, Miss Minnie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Was this what led Hector to prowl all over Washington, drowning his sorrows in canine revelry, or did Hector’s Falstaffian excesses force Mrs. Cleveland’s hand?

From Slate • Jan. 31, 2021

Its characters have a Falstaffian largeness, Beckett-like absurdity and a bonkersness that only Cope is capable of.

From The Guardian • Jun. 27, 2014

As played by the frenetically amusing Siguenza, he's also something of a stand-up comic, commenting on the action with a Falstaffian wit that's been given a fizzy Mexican Spanglish update.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 24, 2014

Borulwaski lies buried at Durham by the side of the Falstaffian Stephen Kemble.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 8 "Dubner" to "Dyeing" by Various