Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a posture where the shoulders are bent forward and the back is curved, not upright: Describes a person whose upper back and shoulders are noticeably rounded forward, often giving a hunched appearance.

Usage

• Describing Physical Posture: Used to characterize someone's habitual stance or build where the shoulders are not held back but curve forward.
  • Years of working at a desk left him round-shouldered.
  • The round-shouldered posture can sometimes lead to back pain.

Advanced Usage

• Descriptive in Literature or Medicine: Often used in descriptive writing to paint a physical picture or in medical/ergonomic contexts to discuss posture-related issues.
  • The detective noticed the suspect's round-shouldered silhouette in the dim light.
  • Ergonomic assessments aim to prevent employees from becoming round-shouldered.

Variants and Related Words

• Stooping (adj): Bending forward and downward, often describing a similar posture.
• Hunched (adj): Having the back and shoulders rounded, often implying a more temporary or pronounced curve.
• Kyphotic (adj): A medical term relating to an excessive outward curvature of the spine.

Synonyms

• Stooped
• Hunched
• Slouching

Antonyms

• Erect
• Upright
• Straight-backed

Related Phrases

• To have round shoulders: A phrase describing the same physical trait.
  • He has round shoulders from always leaning over his work.

Adjective

1. having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
   • a little oldish misshapen stooping woman