stout

adjective \ ˈstau̇t \

Updated on: 4 Dec 2017

Definition of stout

1 : strong of character: such as

a : brave, bold

b : firm, determined; also : obstinate, uncompromising

2 : physically or materially strong:

a : sturdy, vigorous

b : staunch, enduring

c : sturdily constructed : substantial

3 : forceful

a stout attack

; also : violent

a stout wind

4 a : bulky in body : fat

b : broad in proportion to length : large in diameter

a stout fly

a stout bird's bill

—

stoutish

play \ˈstau̇-tish\ adjective

—

stoutly

adverb

—

stoutness

noun

See stout defined for English-language learners

See stout defined for kids

Examples of stout in a Sentence

He has a stout heart.
His lawyer put up a stout defense in court.

Recent Examples of stout from the Web

This will be Penn State’s toughest test of the season, especially going up against Michigan’s stout defense.

— cleveland.com, "Who is the better freshman back: J.K. Dobbins or Jonathan Taylor? Big Ten football power rankings for Week 8," 16 Oct. 2017
His frame was short and stout and his wife, Abigail, was, in many ways, Adams’s intellectual equal.

— erik spanberg, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Friends Divided' explores the remarkable, stormy friendship of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams," 5 Nov. 2017
The stout Seattle defense shut him down early, and Russell Wilson and the offense took him out of the game late.

— michael beller, SI.com, "Fantasy Football Week 9 Start ’Em, Sit ’Em," 2 Nov. 2017
The defense has been particularly stout with captain Matt Besler in the lineup.

— sam mcdowell, kansascity, "Why Sporting KC might win MLS Cup ... and why it might not," 25 Oct. 2017
Tall and lanky, Jefferson towered over the short and stout Adams.

— alan taylor, WSJ, "Review: Adams and Jefferson, Two ‘Friends Divided’," 20 Oct. 2017
Hadl benefited from the Rams’ stout ground game coached by Chuck Knox.

— tom krasovic, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Placing Rivers among L.A. greats," 15 Sep. 2017
The French brand of preserves—made of whole fruits, not to be confused with jams, which are made with crushed fruit—and jellies is iconic for a short and stout wide-mouth jar and a bright red gingham lid.

— alyse whitney, Bon Appetit, "A Definitive Ranking of 23 Bonne Maman Flavors," 7 Aug. 2017
Add kombu, bay leaf, and stout and increase heat to medium-high.

— Bon Appetit, "Stout-Steamed Shellfish with Charred Onions," 19 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stout

Middle English, from Anglo-French estut, estout, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German stolz proud; perhaps akin to Old High German stelza stilt — more at stilt

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

stout Synonyms

Synonyms

cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, inured, rugged, hardy, strong, sturdy, tough, toughened, vigorous

Antonyms

delicate, nonhardy, soft, tender, weak

Related Words

flinty, leathery, resilient, stalwart; durable, enduring, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, permanent, stable, staunch (also stanch), staying, tenacious, unyielding; flourishing, prospering, thriving; able-bodied, brawny, muscular; fit, fortified, hale, healthy, husky, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sound, strapping, virile; annealed, seasoned, tempered

Near Antonyms

emasculated, enervated, enfeebled, exhausted, run-down, sapped, wasted, weakened, worn, worn out; crippled, debilitated, diseased, incapacitated, infirm, unsound; fragile, frail, puny; resistless, sensitive, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding; mortal, perishable, temporary, transient

Synonym Discussion of stout

strong, stout, sturdy, stalwart, tough, tenacious mean showing power to resist or to endure. strong may imply power derived from muscular vigor, large size, structural soundness, intellectual or spiritual resources.

- strong arms
- the defense has a strong case

stout suggests an ability to endure stress, pain, or hard use without giving way.

- stout hiking boots

sturdy implies strength derived from vigorous growth, determination of spirit, solidity of construction.

- a sturdy table
- people of sturdy independence

stalwart suggests an unshakable dependability.

- stalwart environmentalists

tough implies great firmness and resiliency.

- a tough political opponent

tenacious suggests strength in seizing, retaining, clinging to, or holding together.

- tenacious farmers clinging to an age-old way of life

stout

noun

Definition of stout

1 : a very dark full-bodied ale with a distinctive malty flavor

2 a : a fat person

b : a clothing size designed for the large figure

See stout defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of stout from the Web

Vampires, zombies, fog, strobe lights and screams in the night thrilled and chilled those stout of heart.

— ann benoit, NOLA.com, "Covington's Halloween 'screams' down Blue Swamp Creek Nature Trail," 31 Oct. 2017
The Bears only managed a field goal against a stout Panthers defense.

— jourdan rodrigue, charlotteobserver, "Numbers lie: Despite record day on defense, Panthers’ loss came down to 3 plays," 22 Oct. 2017
The brewery makes sours, barrel-aged ales, Belgian ales, stouts and even a root beer.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. to open in the Flats: Sneak peek (photos, video)," 19 Oct. 2017
Imperial stouts are a great, boozy option, but barleywines are even better.

— aaron goldfarb, Esquire, "What You Should Drink While You're Snowed in This Week," 23 Jan. 2016
Barrett took over from there, and the Buckeyes’ defense deserves credit for keeping in check a Penn State offense that had rung up 8.30 yards per play against a stout Michigan D a week ago.

— chris johnson, SI.com, "J.T. Barrett's Fabulous Fourth Quarter Leads Ohio State to Comeback Victory Over Penn State," 28 Oct. 2017
The stout comes in a glass with a cream and cookie crumble rim.

— emily price, Fortune, "You've Got to See This Oreo Beer Being Served at the Texas State Fair," 17 Oct. 2017
This insane concoction is made with a vanilla pilsner scoop and chocolate stout & salty pretzel scoop that's served on a pretzel bun made from Bronx Baking Company.

— danielle tullo, Cosmopolitan, "This Ice Cream Barlor Is Serving a Boozy Sundae in a Giant Margarita Glass," 8 Sep. 2017
Strain the steak in a sieve over a bowl, reserving the stout.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "T&C Recipe," 12 Oct. 2013

First Known Use of stout

1677

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

STOUT Defined for English Language Learners

stout

adjective

Definition of stout for English Language Learners

: thick and strong
: having a large body that is wide with fat or muscles
: brave and strong

stout

noun

Definition of stout for English Language Learners

: a very dark, heavy beer

STOUT Defined for Kids

stout

adjective \ ˈstau̇t \

Definition of stout for Students

stouter; stoutest

1 : of strong character : brave, determined

a stout general

2 : of a strong or lasting sort : sturdy, tough

stout timbers

stout boots

3 : having a large body with much fat

a stout gentleman

4 : wide and usually thick

a stout bill

—

stoutly

adverb

a stoutly built barn

—

stoutness

noun

Learn More about stout

See words that rhyme with stout Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for stout Spanish Central: Translation of stout Nglish: Translation of stout for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stout for Arabic speakers

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Examples of stout in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of stout

stout Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of stout

stout

Definition of stout

Recent Examples of stout from the Web

First Known Use of stout

Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

STOUT Defined for English Language Learners

stout

Definition of stout for English Language Learners

stout

Definition of stout for English Language Learners

STOUT Defined for Kids

stout

Definition of stout for Students

stoutly

stoutness

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