muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
3
a
: of or relating to physical strength : brawny
b
: having strength of expression or character : vigorous
muscular prose
c
: characterized by forcefulness or resolve
muscular foreign policy
d
: full-bodied
muscular wines
muscularity noun
muscularly adverb

Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique. His legs are very muscular.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, being taller and more muscular comes with greater evolutionary costs, as a male must eat a lot and also be physically healthy both during childhood and as an adult to achieve and maintain such traits. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 According to Transfermarkt, Vitor Reis has been sidelined once in his senior career due to injury — a muscular problem that kept him out of action for three matches. Elias Burke, The Athletic, 21 Jan. 2025 The authors acknowledge that participants were limited by the risk of muscular fatigue. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2025 But the new design is still a striking, muscular performance, suggesting a plank pose, or a car up on jacks. Ian Parker, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for muscular 

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of muscular was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near muscular

Cite this Entry

“Muscular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muscular. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or being muscle
b
: performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed muscles : strong

Medical Definition

muscular

adjective
mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər How to pronounce muscular (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting muscle
b
: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles
2
: having well-developed musculature
muscularly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on muscular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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