Wordul · all words

adjective · 2 syllables · /'bɜːr.li/

BURLY

What does "BURLY" mean?

Large, strong, and heavily built.

Meanings

  1. Stout and muscular in build; physically powerful. A burly dockworker hoisted the crate onto his shoulder without a grunt.

Word origin

From Middle English 'borlich' (stately, excellent), likely from an unrecorded Old English root meaning 'fit for the bower or hall'; the sense narrowed over time to 'large and sturdy of body'.

Remember it

BURLY sounds like a 'burly' bear that's a bit 'surly' - both big and gruff.

A little poem

The forearm thick as a mooring rope,
and a handshake that crushes a careless hope.

couplet

Wordplay

  • The burly bouncer trained as a barista. Now he's known for his crushing grip on a flat white.

What it teaches

Bulk impresses at a glance, but the strongest people you meet rarely have to mention it.

Quick facts

What does BURLY mean?

Large, strong, and heavily built.

Is BURLY a valid word?

Yes — BURLY is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.

How many letters is BURLY?

BURLY has 5 letters and 2 syllables.

Where does BURLY come from?

From Middle English 'borlich' (stately, excellent), likely from an unrecorded Old English root meaning 'fit for the bower or hall'; the sense narrowed over time to 'large and sturdy of body'.

What can BURLY teach us?

Bulk impresses at a glance, but the strongest people you meet rarely have to mention it.

How players do

Be the first to solve it.

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