Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having strong, large, and well-developed muscles; physically powerful and sturdy.
   • Characterized by great physical strength and a solid, robust build.

Usage

The adjective "brawny" is used to describe a person (or sometimes an animal) who has a powerful, muscular physique. It emphasizes physical strength and a solid, often large, body structure. It is a descriptive term, typically used in a positive or neutral sense.

Examples

• The brawny blacksmith lifted the heavy anvil with ease.
• After years of construction work, he had developed a brawny frame.
• The rugby team was filled with brawny athletes.

Advanced Usage

• "Brawny arms": A common collocation describing powerfully built arms.
  • The sailor had brawny arms from years of hauling ropes.
• Used figuratively (less common) to describe something with great strength or power.
  • The company's brawny financial performance impressed the investors.

Variants and Related Words

• Brawn (noun): Physical strength in contrast to intelligence.
  • The job requires more brawn than brains.
• Brawniness (noun): The quality of being brawny.
  • His brawniness was an advantage in the competition.

Synonyms

• Muscular: Having well-developed muscles.
• Burly: Large and strong; heavily built.
• Sturdy: Strongly and solidly built.
• Hefty: Large, heavy, and powerful.
• Robust: Strong and healthy; vigorous.

Antonyms

• Scrawny: Unattractively thin and bony.
• Frail: Weak and delicate.
• Skinny: Very thin.
• Puny: Small and weak.

Idioms and Phrases

• Brawn over brains: A situation where physical strength is valued more than intelligence.
  • In some manual jobs, it's often a case of brawn over brains.

Adjective

1. (of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
   • a hefty athlete
   • a muscular boxer
   • powerful arms