of a medium build

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of a medium build" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's physical stature, indicating that they are neither too thin nor too heavy. Example: "He was a man of a medium build, making him appear approachable and friendly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If the diaper is too big on a person who is of a medium build, the diaper will fall off the person.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, rather than endure yet another turgid thesis on the subject (isn't it striking that the study of a medium built on impact should have given rise to such notably unreadable literature?), we should be satisfied perhaps to define news as something that makes you think "well, I never knew that".

The Guardian - Books

He was all muscle, with biceps as big as the thigh of a medium-build woman.

The New York Times

Neither film nor TV is a medium built for the celebration of humility.

The Guardian - Books

Being a woman (and having high hair) has made me easier to recognize, easier to remember and has spared me from fitting into the generic description of a composer: "medium build, dark hair, glasses, beard".

The New York Times

Police said they had received over 118 calls after a new appeal that saw e-fits of a white man of medium build, who is thought to have been seen with a child in his arms on the night Madeleine disappeared.

Independent

The images show the face of a white man, of medium build, with short brown hair.

HuffPost

Mr. Chaikin declined to discuss the case he and his co-counsel, Gary S. Villanueva, would present, saying only that his client, a man of medium build with a goatee who sat with a Bible at the defense table, was not guilty of the charges.

The New York Times

The logistics fell to Ojukwu Emma, a man of medium build, with a heavy-lidded calmness to his face, who often wears a dark leather coat that belts in the back.

The New Yorker

The unwitting villain -- a man of medium build, close-cropped hair and a gold cross at the neck -- arrived about 7 p.m.

The New York Times

A man of medium build disappears into the shadows between Commercial and the town wharf, outside the public bathrooms, which have been closed for hours.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's physical appearance in formal reports or descriptions, using the phrase "of a medium build" provides a neutral and objective assessment of their body type. Use this phrase when a more specific description isn't necessary or available.

Common error

Don't rely solely on the phrase "of a medium build" if more specific details are relevant. Provide additional information such as height or weight range when possible to create a clearer picture of the individual's appearance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of a medium build" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun (usually a person) by providing information about their body type. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of a medium build" serves as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically used to provide a general assessment of someone's body type. It indicates a physique that is neither overly muscular nor slender, representing an average or standard build. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase. Analysis of its usage shows that it is most frequently found in news reports and general descriptions, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. While "of a medium build" is a useful descriptor, it's essential to consider providing more specific details when available for a clearer depiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of average build

Replaces "medium" with "average", indicating a standard or typical physique.

of moderate build

Substitutes "medium" with "moderate", suggesting a balanced or not extreme physique.

of regular build

Uses "regular" instead of "medium", implying a conventional or standard body type.

averagely built

Combines "average" and "built" into a single adjective, describing a typical physique.

moderately built

Combines "moderate" and "built" into a single adjective, implying a balanced physique.

of medium stature

Replaces "build" with "stature", focusing on overall height and form.

of medium size

Uses "size" instead of "build", referring to overall body dimensions.

not too thin, not too heavy

Describes the physique by negating extremes, emphasizing a balanced body type.

neither slim nor heavy

Similar to the previous phrase, it indicates the physique by avoiding extremes.

well-proportioned

Describes a physique where body parts are in good balance with each other.

FAQs

How can I use "of a medium build" in a sentence?

You can use "of a medium build" to describe someone's physique when it's neither overly muscular nor slender. For example: "The suspect was described as a man "of a medium build", approximately 5'10" tall."

What are some alternatives to "of a medium build"?

Alternatives include "of average build", "of moderate build", or "averagely built". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it appropriate to use "of a medium build" in formal writing?

Yes, "of a medium build" is suitable for formal writing when you need to describe someone's physique in a neutral and objective manner. It's often used in police reports, descriptions, or character introductions.

How does "of a medium build" compare to "athletic build" or "slim build"?

"Of a medium build" implies a body type that is neither particularly muscular (athletic) nor slender (slim). It suggests a standard or average physique without emphasizing any specific physical attributes.