adjective
- having a stout, heavy build; corpulent
- having a dignified, imposing appearance
Usage: often used as a polite way to describe someone who is overweight
Usage: somewhat formal or literary
Examples
- The portly gentleman struggled to fit into the airplane seat.
- A portly businessman walked slowly up the stairs.
- The portly chef emerged from the kitchen to greet his guests.
- He had grown quite portly in his middle age.
- The portly figure cut an impressive silhouette against the doorway.
- Despite his portly appearance, he moved with surprising grace.