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• stout
  stout

  adjective

  bulky in figure; heavily built; corpulent; thickset; fat.
• Stout
  Stout

  noun

  Rex (Todhunter) 1886–1975, U.S. detective novelist.

stout

¹ American  

[stout] / staʊt /

adjective

stouter, stoutest

1. bulky in figure; heavily built; corpulent; thickset; fat.

   She is getting too stout for her dresses.

   Synonyms:

   fleshy, portly, stocky, rotund, big

   Antonyms:

   skinny, slim, slender, lean, thin, scrawny

2. bold, brave, or dauntless.

   a stout heart; stout fellows.

   Synonyms:

   courageous, indomitable, fearless, intrepid, gallant, valiant

   Antonyms:

   fearful, timid, cowardly, craven, timorous

3. firm; stubborn; resolute.

   stout resistance.

   Synonyms:

   stanch, steadfast, indomitable, obstinate

4. forceful; vigorous.

   a stout argument; a stout wind.

   Synonyms:

   violent, sharp, intense

5. strong of body; hearty; sturdy.

   stout seamen.

   Synonyms:

   robust, husky, strapping, sinewy, brawny

6. having endurance or staying power, as a horse.

   Synonyms:

   steady, stalwart

7. strong in substance or body, as a beverage.

   Antonyms:

   flat, bland, tasteless, weak

8. strong and thick or heavy.

   a stout cudgel.

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noun

stouts plural

1. a dark, sweet brew made of roasted malt and having a higher percentage of hops than porter.

2. porter of extra strength.

3. a stout person.

4. a garment size designed for a stout man.

5. a garment, as a suit or overcoat, in this size.

Stout ² American  

[stout] / staʊt /

noun

1. Rex (Todhunter) 1886–1975, U.S. detective novelist.

2. Robert, 1844–1930, New Zealand jurist and statesman: prime minister 1884–87.

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stout ¹ British  

/ staʊt /

adjective

1. solidly built or corpulent

2. (prenominal) resolute or valiant

   stout fellow

3. strong, substantial, and robust

4. courage; resolution

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noun

1. strong porter highly flavoured with malt

Stout ² British  

/ staʊt /

noun

1. Sir Robert. 1844–1930, New Zealand statesman, born in Scotland: prime minister of New Zealand (1884–87)

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Synonym Usage

Stout, fat, plump imply corpulence of body. Stout describes a heavily built but usually strong and healthy body: a handsome stout lady. Fat, an informal word with unpleasant connotations, suggests an unbecoming fleshy stoutness; it may, however, apply also to a hearty fun-loving type of stout person: a fat old man; fat and jolly. Plump connotes a pleasing roundness and is often used as a complimentary or euphemistic equivalent for stout, fleshy, etc.: a pleasingly plump figure attractively dressed.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overstoutness
  noun
• stoutness
  noun
• unstoutness
  noun
• overstout
  adjective
• stoutish
  adjective
• unstout
  adjective
• overstoutly
  adverb
• stoutly
  adverb
• unstoutly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• stouts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stout

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English adjective stute, from Old French estout “bold, proud,” from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch stout “bold,” Middle Low German stolt, Middle High German stolz “proud”

Explanation

Stout describes something fat, dependable, or rugged. If someone calls you stout, ask them exactly what they mean before bursting into tears and skipping dinner. It could be a compliment! Most supermodels would not want to be described as stout, which is often a nicer way of saying "fat." But a little teapot doesn't mind being "short and stout." Something stout is dependable, too, like your favorite snow boots that keep your feet dry winter after winter. Since it also means "sturdy," if you call that supermodel stout when he prances through the finish line of a triathlon, he'll just pump his fist in agreement.

Example Sentences

That resilience bodes well for Scotland's third group game, where another stout defensive display is of vital importance.

From BBC • Jun. 21, 2026

Ryan Wagner makes sure bartenders meet exacting standards for foam and temperature as stout sales boom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

"Interior, again, some big stout guys that can really push the pocket."

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

Cleveland relies on its stout defense, but that unit didn’t show up in Week 15 against Chicago, surrendering 31 points.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 18, 2025

Under the stout, gray cylinder of the water tower on its commanding hill, the sandbar curved out into the sea.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

Related Words

• hulking
• indomitable
• muscular
• staunch
• sturdy
• tenacious
• vigorous