stockier

Stockier is the comparative form of the adjective stocky. It describes a person or animal that has a sturdier, more compact, and broader build than another. A stockier figure typically features a wide trunk, short limbs, and a dense musculature or fat distribution that gives a solid, heavy appearance. The term is neutral in itself, though it can carry evaluative nuance depending on context—often implying sturdiness or strength rather than grace or leanness.

The word stocky derives from stock, meaning the trunk or trunk-like body frame, with the adjectival suffix -y. The comparative form stockier follows standard English derivation rules, yielding the meaning "more stocky." It is commonly used in descriptive writing, sports commentary, and everyday speech, and applies to humans and animals alike.

In usage, stockier tends to compare two or more bodies, rather than offering absolute judgments. It is often contrasted with lean, slender, or lanky; with burly or stout as near-synonyms, though burly can imply larger overall mass, while stockier emphasizes compactness. Care should be taken to avoid connotations of health or attractiveness; the term is primarily descriptive.

See also: stocky, stout, burly, compact, physique.