brawny

[ braw-nee ]

adjective

, brawn·i·er, brawn·i·est.

1. muscular; strong.

   Synonyms: strapping, robust, burly

   Antonyms: frail, slight, weak

brawny

/ ˈbrɔːnɪ /

adjective

1. muscular and strong

Derived Forms

• ˈbrawnily, adverb
• ˈbrawniness, noun

Other Words From

• brawni·ly adverb
• brawni·ness noun
• un·brawny adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brawny¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; brawn, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Comedian Sean Patton plays Markie, the high school football coach, a brawny walking anachronism with surprising insights of his own.

From Los Angeles Times

Brawny yet sensitive, Smith channels the depth of his many experiences into his sturdy, riff-driven songs, which is one reason they’re connecting: This year his hit “World on Fire” spent 10 straight weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s country radio chart, a stay equaled by only Wallen’s “You Proof”; Smith quickly followed it with another chart-topper in “Bulletproof,” the twangy lead single from his sophomore LP, “California Gold.”

From Los Angeles Times

As players led a brawny ape and a cartwheeling monkey through jungles, ancient ruins and snowscapes, they were treated to a musical smorgasbord of atmospheric tunes.

From New York Times

He was tall and brawny, with leafy brown hair.

From Salon

“Gladiator II,” the enjoyably dumb sequel to the brawny Ridley Scott epic that won the best picture Oscar nearly a quarter-century ago, has just finished its premiere screening on the Paramount Pictures lot.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beefy
• bulky
• burly
• sinewy
• strapping
• sturdy