plump

Plump is an adjective describing something that is nicely rounded, full, or well filled. It is commonly used for people, animals, fruit, or objects such as cushions to convey softness and fullness without implying extreme overweight. Depending on context, plump can carry a neutral or mildly positive connotation, and in reference to infants and children it is often affectionate. In horticulture and food, plump also describes fruit that is full-sized, firm, and ripe.

As a verb, to plump means to fill out or make something plump, as in plumping a cushion or cheeks. The phrase plump up can describe increasing volume or fullness. The idiom plump for means to choose or opt for something.

Etymology of plump is uncertain; earliest uses appear in Middle English, and the word likely arose as a descriptive or onomatopoeic term related to fullness. In modern usage, the word appears in many varieties of English with largely similar meanings but varying connotations by context.

In social and cultural contexts, plump frequently appears in discussions of body shape, often with attention to sensitivity around body image. It is generally considered more neutral than “fat” when applied to babies or food, but can be construed as diminutive or patronizing if applied to adults in some settings.