rotund

adjective

ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd 

ˈrō-ˌtənd

1

: marked by roundness : rounded

2

: marked by fullness of sound or cadence : orotund, sonorous

a master of rotund diction

3

: notably plump : chubby

rotundity

rō-ˈtən-də-tē 

noun

rotundly

rō-ˈtənd-lē 

ˈrō-ˌtənd-

adverb

rotundness

rō-ˈtən(d)-nəs 

ˈrō-ˌtənd-

noun

Synonyms

• blubbery
• chubby
• corpulent
• fat
• fleshy
• full
• gross
• lardy
• obese
• overweight
• plump
• podgy [chiefly British]
• portly
• pudgy
• replete
• roly-poly
• round
• tubby

Examples of rotund in a Sentence

a rotund little man who, predictably, was asked to play Santa every year

the actor's distinct baritone and his clear and rotund elocution are especially effective in dramatic readings

Recent Examples on the Web

Never a perfect circle, but dependably rotund, the doughnuts are large enough to tear at greedily and still last the entire drive home. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025

The toy, named Psyduck—intended for humans—is a rotund duck-like creature prone to splitting headaches. —Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023

Meet the rotund rascal Sir John Falstaff and the wise wives of Windsor in one of Shakespeare’s most raucous comedies. —Joey Morona, cleveland, 1 Feb. 2023

Stay rotund for my sake #bblefffect #buccalfatremoval #friendship ... —Kalhan Rosenblatt, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Latin rotundus, probably alteration of Old Latin *retundus; akin to Latin rota wheel — more at roll

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

rotund

adjective

ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd 

ˈrō-ˌtənd

1

: somewhat round

2

: plump entry 5

rotundity

rō-ˈtən-dət-ē 

noun