Stouter

Stouter is the comparative form of the adjective stout. It describes something with greater stoutness, implying more solid build, thickness, or robustness, and can also be used metaphorically to denote increased courage or resoluteness. In physical descriptions, a stouter individual or object is heavier, sturdier, or more substantial; in figurative use, a stouter argument or a stouter heart suggests greater firmness or bravery.

Etymology and usage: The form stouter is created by adding the standard comparative suffix -er to the adjective stout. The base word stout derives from Old English and has cognates in other Germanic languages, reflecting concepts of strength and endurance. The comparative stouter has been part of English usage since medieval times and remains common in formal or literary contexts.

Context and nuance: Stouter tends to be more common in written language and measured or literary prose than in casual speech, where alternatives such as “more stout,” “bulkier,” or “more robust” might be preferred depending on context. The term can describe people, animals, objects, or abstract ideas like defenses, arguments, or policies.

Related forms and notes: Related terms include stout (the base adjective and the noun sense of a strong alcoholic beverage), stoutly (adv.), and stoutness (noun). While stouter shares roots with these words, they occupy distinct grammatical or semantic spaces, with stout often used for both physical and metaphorical strength and stout beer as a separate meaning.

Example sentences: The ship’s stouter hull endured the gale. His stouter defense convinced the jury. A stouter heart helped her face the long journey.