corpulent man

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "corpulent man" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a man who is overweight or has a large body size, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The corpulent man struggled to fit into the narrow seat of the theater, drawing the attention of those around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The surgeon was a tall, corpulent man.

The New Yorker

Indisputably, Brady was a corpulent man who ate a lot.

The New York Times - Food

He was a short and corpulent man, with a very large head and no neck.

The New Yorker

Muhammad Said Al Sahaf is a short, corpulent man with large features and carefully cut hair that is dyed jet-black.

The New Yorker

I had recently met the Sheikh, a squat, corpulent man, and knew him to be deeply loyal to Allawi, who is a secular Shiite.

The New Yorker

As we talked, a jeep pulled up and a corpulent man in a tracksuit got out, accompanied by a couple of armed soldiers.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

One poster shows a Theodore Roosevelt look-alike in a "one-button cutaway frock for corpulent men".

The New York Times

According to a playbill from 1736, cited in David Willoughby's classic history, "The Super-Athletes," Topham's act included the following feats: "He lays the back Part of his Head on one Chair, and his Heels on another, and suffers four corpulent men to stand on his Body and heaves them up and down.

The New Yorker

William Howard Taft, the only massively obese man ever to be president of the United States, struggled mightily to control his weight a century ago, worrying about his health and image, and endured humiliation from cartoonists who delighted in his corpulent figure.

The New York Times - Health

Then a corpulent, bare-chested man in his late thirties stepped forward.

The New Yorker

In the prime of his life Ferdinand was described as a blue-eyed, somewhat corpulent, middle-sized man who wore Spanish court dress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "corpulent man" when you want to convey a formal or literary tone. It's more descriptive than simply saying "fat man" or "obese man".

Common error

Avoid using "corpulent man" excessively in casual writing. While grammatically correct, its formality can sound stilted or pretentious if overused. Consider more common alternatives in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "corpulent man" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "corpulent" modifies the noun "man". As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and describes a man who is overweight.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "corpulent man" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to describe a man of considerable size. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, although its usage leans toward more formal contexts like news and encyclopedias. When writing, be mindful of the potential for offense and consider gentler alternatives such as "portly man" or "stout man" for less formal settings. Despite its correct usage, using "corpulent man" requires consideration of the target audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obese man

Replaces "corpulent" with a more clinical and commonly used term.

overweight man

A medicalized and relatively neutral way to describe a man above a healthy weight.

portly man

Offers a gentler, more polite alternative to "corpulent".

stout man

Similar to "portly" but can also imply strength or robustness.

plump man

A softer and more euphemistic term than "fat" or "obese".

heavyset man

A more neutral and descriptive term for a large man.

rotund man

A somewhat archaic but still understood synonym for "corpulent".

large man

A simple and direct way to describe a man of significant size.

fat man

A blunt and potentially offensive way to describe a man with excess weight.

chubby man

A more endearing and less harsh term, suitable for informal contexts.

FAQs

What does "corpulent" mean?

"Corpulent" is an adjective that describes someone who is excessively fat or stout.

What is a more polite way to say "corpulent man"?

You could use terms like "portly man" or "stout man", which are generally considered more gentle and less clinical.

Is it offensive to describe someone as a "corpulent man"?

While "corpulent" is not as overtly offensive as "fat", it can still be considered insensitive depending on the context and the audience. It's generally better to use more neutral terms like "overweight man" or "heavyset man".

Can I use "corpulent" to describe a woman?

Yes, "corpulent" can be used to describe anyone, regardless of gender, who is excessively fat. However, as with describing a man, it's important to consider the potential for offense and choose more sensitive language when appropriate.