How to Memorize

portly - fat

Analysis

The word ‘portly’ is essentially a more polite and formal way of describing somebody, particularly a man, who is rather fat. It tends to be used more in relation to corpulent middle-aged or older men as opposed to younger ones, who are more likely to be described as ‘stout’ or ‘chubby’.

Example(s)

1. My accountant is quite a portly gentleman who clearly spends most of his days sitting behind his desk.

2. Mike is obsessive about his exercise regime because he is determined not to become a portly middle-aged man.

3. The portly local mayor cut a cumbersome figure as he delivered a speech at the town event.