Definition

Adjective 1. Having shoulders or shoulders of a specified type: Describes the possession of shoulders, or more commonly, shoulders with particular characteristics. This adjective is most frequently used in combination with another word (a combining form) to create a compound adjective that specifies the shoulder's appearance, posture, or shape.

Usage

The word "shouldered" is almost exclusively used as the second part of a compound adjective. It modifies a noun by describing the type of shoulders a person or thing has. The first part of the compound (e.g., "broad," "stoop") specifies the characteristic.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The broad-shouldered athlete easily moved the heavy equipment.
  • She walked with the posture of someone who was round-shouldered from years at a desk.
  • The coat is designed for a square-shouldered silhouette.

Advanced Usage

• Combining Forms: "Shouldered" productively combines with adjectives (broad, narrow, round, square) or present participles (sloping, stooping) to create descriptive terms.
  • The suit jacket gave him a more square-shouldered look.
• Metaphorical Use: Can be used to describe objects that have a shoulder-like part.
  • The heavy-shouldered vase was difficult to carry.

Variants and Related Words

• Shoulder (noun): The part of the body or an object this adjective describes.
• Shoulder (verb): To carry a burden or responsibility, or to push with one's shoulder.
• Common compound adjectives include:
  • Broad-shouldered: Having wide, strong-looking shoulders.
  • Stoop-shouldered (or stooped-shouldered): Having a habitual forward curvature of the shoulders and upper back.
  • Round-shouldered: Similar to stoop-shouldered, with shoulders bent forward.
  • Square-shouldered: Having shoulders that form a relatively square angle with the neck; often used to describe tailored clothing or an upright posture.

Synonyms

• Built (when used in a similar compound structure, e.g., "heavily-built").
• None are direct synonyms, as "shouldered" is uniquely used in compound forms to focus specifically on shoulder attributes.

Related Phrases

• To have shoulders of [type]: A less common paraphrasing of the compound adjective.
  • He has shoulders of an ox. (Similar to "ox-shouldered").

Related Idioms

• While "shouldered" itself is not typically found in idioms, the noun "shoulder" is central to many (e.g., "a shoulder to cry on," "shoulder to the wheel"). The adjective form "shouldered" specifically describes physical (or sometimes metaphorical) attributes.

Adjective

1. having shoulders or shoulders as specified; usually used as a combining form
   • stoop-shouldered
   • broad-shouldered