muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
3
a
: of or relating to physical strength : brawny
b
: having strength of expression or character : vigorous
muscular prose
c
: characterized by forcefulness or resolve
muscular foreign policy
d
: full-bodied
muscular wines
muscularity noun
muscularly adverb

Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique. His legs are very muscular.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a distant third is Andrés Ojeda, 40, a muscular and media-savvy lawyer who has tried to energize apathetic young voters with splashy campaign videos showing him lifting weights at the gym and describing himself as a classic Capricorn. Nayara Batschke and Isabel Debre, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 Similar to other parts of the digestive system, the large intestine is made up of four layers of tissue: mucosa (innermost layer), submucosa, muscular, and serosa. Cristina Mutchler, Health, 19 Oct. 2024 By Wyatt Mason The Viral Dances Changing the Way Women Move Parris Goebel's muscular, viral choreography is transforming the way that Rihanna, SZA and others perform. David Marchese Wyatt Mason Coralie Kraft Willy Staley Matthew Shaer Mireille Silcoff Lisa Donovan Lisa Sanders, M.d. Michael David Lukas John Hodgman, New York Times, 13 Oct. 2024 All this was wrapped up in a body that seemed to take the best of its two preceding generations, combing muscular curves with bold, crisp lines and angles. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for muscular 

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscular was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near muscular

Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscular. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being muscle
b
: performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed muscles : strong

Medical Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
muscularly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on muscular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!