burly
Describes a person, typically a man, who is large, strong, and heavily built. It suggests a combination of muscularity and a sturdy, thickset physical frame.
Examples
3 of 5The burly man helped me carry the heavy sofa up three flights of stairs.
The large, strong man assisted me in moving the heavy couch to a higher floor.
Witnesses identified a burly individual fleeing the scene shortly after the alarm sounded.
People who saw the event described a heavily built person running away after the alert.
My uncle is a burly guy who looks like he should be chopping down trees in the forest.
My uncle is a big, muscular person who resembles a traditional woodsman.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Burly Bear.' Bears are large, thickset, and very strong, which is exactly what a burly person looks like.
Quick Quiz
The ______ doorman crossed his arms and refused to let the rowdy group into the club.
Correct!
The correct answer is: burly
Examples
The burly man helped me carry the heavy sofa up three flights of stairs.
everydayThe large, strong man assisted me in moving the heavy couch to a higher floor.
Witnesses identified a burly individual fleeing the scene shortly after the alarm sounded.
formalPeople who saw the event described a heavily built person running away after the alert.
My uncle is a burly guy who looks like he should be chopping down trees in the forest.
informalMy uncle is a big, muscular person who resembles a traditional woodsman.
Socio-historical analysis often links the 'burly' aesthetic of laborers to 19th-century industrial ideals of masculinity.
academicAcademic study connects the strong, thickset appearance of workers to Victorian views on manhood.
The security firm provided several burly guards to manage the entrance during the high-profile conference.
businessThe protection company sent many large and powerful staff members to oversee the event entrance.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a burly fellow
A large and strong man
burly chest
A wide and muscular chest area
burly and brawny
Strong and physically powerful
Often Confused With
Burly describes a person's strong physique, whereas bulky usually describes large, heavy objects or clothing that takes up space.
Burly is an adjective for strength; barley is a type of cereal grain used in food and beer.
Usage Notes
Burly is almost exclusively used to describe men; it is rarely used for women, where terms like 'sturdy' or 'athletic' are preferred. It generally carries a neutral or positive connotation of strength rather than just being overweight.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'burly' to describe inanimate objects that are large (use 'bulky' instead) or use it as a synonym for 'fat' (burly implies muscle and strength, not just weight).
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Burly Bear.' Bears are large, thickset, and very strong, which is exactly what a burly person looks like.
Word Origin
From the Middle English 'borlich', meaning 'excellent', 'stately', or 'large', which later evolved to focus specifically on a powerful physical build.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western culture, the 'burly' figure is often associated with archetypal blue-collar roles such as lumberjacks, dock workers, or bodyguards.
Quick Quiz
The ______ doorman crossed his arms and refused to let the rowdy group into the club.
Correct!
The correct answer is: burly
Related Words
proceed
C1The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.
individual
C1Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.
appropriately
B2To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.
region
B2A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.
resource
B2A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
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