pulchritude
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What does pulchritude mean? Pulchritude means physical beauty or attractiveness. Pulchritude is a fancy (and outdated) way of talking about how someone or something is good-looking. It’s quite rare and, for that reason, usually used for humorous effect. The adjective form of pulchritude is pulchritudinous, meaning beautiful. Example: The makeup artist kept talking about the pulchritude of my epidermis, which I guess means I have nice skin.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pulchritude
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English, from Latin pulchritūdō “beauty,” equivalent to pulchri- (combining form of pulcher “beautiful”) + -tūdō noun suffix; see -tude
Explanation
If someone comments on the pulchritude of your face, you shouldn’t be offended. It may sound like quite the opposite, but pulchritude actually means “beauty.” Pulchritude is one of those words that is more often commented upon for its oddness than actually used in its intended meaning. Many people dislike the sound of this word or are surprised to find that it is a synonym of beauty. These days pulchritude is considered outdated and is usually only used in highly literary writing or, in more common writing, to achieve a witty effect.
Vocabulary lists containing pulchritude
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 8
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The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
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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.
Why, at this moment celebrating body positivity and diversity, the natural pulchritude of all figures, do women continue to wrap wire around their breasts, hoisting them inches above their innate resting position?
From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2022
Offering an appropriate example of plus-size pulchritude to heavier men, as well as to the fashion industry, required a candidate who seemed relatable, in Bart’s words.
From Seattle Times • May 13, 2016
If you get a little sick of being in the middle of all the documentary evidence of their pulchritude, tell them to toss the selfie stick, and that you’ll be their official photographer.
From Slate • Apr. 27, 2015
They, too, were lined up so that everyone could see and photograph them in all their gleaming pulchritude.
From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2012
And whatever he may have thought of her personal pulchritude or the quiet magnetism of her friendliness, there was no room in his mind just now for the merely spiritual.
From Paradise Garden The Satirical Narrative of a Great Experiment by Gibbs, George
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.
