Embonpoint is most often used to describe people of heavy, but not unattractive, girth. It derives from "en bon point," a phrase from Middle French that means "in good condition." The word was first used as a noun in English in the 17th century. It has subsequently appeared in works by Charlotte Brontë ("a form decidedly inclined to embonpoint" - Shirley), James Fenimore Cooper ("an embonpoint that was just sufficient to distinguish her from most of her companions" - Home as Found), and George Eliot ("as erect in her comely embonpoint as a statue of Ceres" - Adam Bede), among others.
clothes for women who may be inclined to embonpoint but who still want to look stylish
Recent Examples on the WebThe pop of a Krispy Kreme sign and the tan embonpoint / Of Scotch bottles after customs to caress.—Dwight Garner, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'embonpoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
French, from Middle French, from en bon point in good condition
Share