muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈmə-skyə-lər 

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

ˌmə-skyə-ˈla-rə-tē 

-ˈler-ə-tē

noun

muscularly

ˈməs-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• brawny
• sinewy

Examples of muscular in a Sentence

He has a muscular physique.

His legs are very muscular.

Recent Examples on the Web

During his tenure, Jeffries recreated the brand into a multibillion-dollar enterprise with slick ad campaigns and marketing that often featured semi-bare muscular men. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024

The new study compared this ability with other muscular factors such as hand grip and knee strength as well as gait speed. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024

The subject is Mats Steen, a Norwegian gamer who died of a degenerative muscular disease at the age of 25. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2024

Torrez Finney is a muscular middleweight known for his compact physique and massive punching power. —Brian Mazique, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Phrases Containing muscular

• Becker muscular dystrophy
• Becker's muscular dystrophy
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• muscular dystrophy

Kids Definition

muscular

adjective

mus·​cu·​lar ˈməs-kyə-lər 

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 

1

a

: of, relating to, or constituting muscle

b

: of, relating to, or performed by the muscles

2

: having well-developed musculature

muscularly

ˈməs-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb