burlier

Burlier is the comparative form of the adjective burly, used to describe someone or something that has a more muscular, robust, or heavyset build. The word results from the standard English process of forming comparatives by adding -ier to the base adjective burly. Etymology of burly traces back to Middle English, with roots that are not entirely clear, but the sense has long been associated with size and strength.

In usage, burlier typically describes people, animals, or objects with a visibly larger frame than others. It can occur in narrative descriptions, sports reporting, or casual speech. For example, “The burlier guard squeezed past the crowd” or “He adopted a burlier physique for the role.” The term is more specialized and less common than the base adjective burly; it often appears when contrasting two individuals or versions of something. It can carry a neutral or mildly humorous tone, depending on context.

Related terms include burly and burliness; synonyms include sturdy, robust, or beefy. Burlier is not a separate concept beyond the adjective’s comparative form; it simply marks a higher degree of the quality described by burly.