corpulent

Corpulent is an adjective describing someone who is very overweight or has a notably large, fleshy body. The term carries a formal, somewhat clinical or evaluative tone and is more common in literary or historical prose than in contemporary neutral writing. In everyday speech and modern medical contexts, terms such as overweight or obese are typically preferred for clarity and sensitivity, while corpulent can imply a subjective judgment about body size.

Originating from Latin corpulentus “full, fleshy, fat,” from corpus “body,” the word entered English with senses tied to fullness of flesh. Over time it developed a generally descriptive but increasingly evaluative nuance, often signaling a particular tone or stylistic choice rather than a precise medical classification.

Usage considerations: Corpulent can appear antiquated or pejorative, especially when applied to real persons. In fiction, it may be used to create a character portrait or period atmosphere. In non-fiction, many writers avoid it in favor of neutral terminology. Related terms include portly, stout, fleshy, and fat; antonyms include slender, lean, and wiry. When precision is required in medical or public health contexts, terms such as obesity or adiposity are preferred.