Portly

Pronunciation: /ˈpɔrtli/

Definitions of portly

adjective having a stout or bulky body; somewhat fat or overweight

Example Sentences

A1 The portly man walked slowly down the street.

A2 She noticed the portly cat lounging in the sun.

B1 The portly gentleman ordered a large meal at the restaurant.

B2 Despite his portly appearance, he was surprisingly agile on the tennis court.

C1 The portly politician struggled to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

C2 The portly professor was known for his sharp wit and intellect.

Examples of portly in a Sentence

formal The portly gentleman arrived at the event in a tailored suit.

informal The portly man sure knows how to enjoy a good meal.

slang That portly dude is always the life of the party.

figurative Her portly presence filled the room with warmth and comfort.

Grammatical Forms of portly

• past tense: portlied
• plural: portlies
• comparative: more portly
• superlative: most portly
• present tense: is portly
• future tense: will be portly
• perfect tense: has been portly
• continuous tense: is being portly
• singular: portly
• positive degree: portly
• infinitive: to be portly
• gerund: being portly
• participle: portlying

Origin and Evolution of portly

First Known Use: 1400 year

Language of Origin: Middle English

Story behind the word: The word 'portly' originated from Middle English, derived from the Old French word 'port', meaning 'bearing' or 'carriage'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe someone who had a dignified or impressive bearing, 'portly' evolved over time to primarily refer to someone who is stout or overweight.