plump

plump — adjective

1. soft and nicely rounded in shape, so a person, body part, food, or cushion looks

1.adjectiveC2
Definition

soft and nicely rounded in shape, so a person, body part, food, or cushion looks full and attractive rather than thin, flat, or hard.

Example

The baker set a row of plump rolls on the wooden shelf.

plump + food noun

Mina's baby had plump cheeks and a bright, easy smile.

plump + body part

Common collocations
  • plump cheeks
  • plump tomatoes
  • plump rolls
  • plump pillow
Synonyms
  • full

    broader and less visual; not always soft or rounded

  • rounded

    focuses on shape, without the idea of softness

  • fleshy

    usually for body parts and sounds less positive

Antonyms
  • thin

    not full in shape

  • flat

    without rounded fullness

Grammar Patterns

plump + noun

look + plump

plump cheeks / fruit / cushions

Usage Note

Often used for things that look inviting or comfortable, such as fruit, cheeks, lips, or cushions. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense can describe objects and body parts, not only a whole person.

Common Mistakes

The soup is plump.
The tomatoes are plump.
'plump' describes a rounded shape, not a liquid.
The table looks plump.
The pillow looks plump.
this sense is used for soft or rounded things, not hard flat furniture.

2. slightly fat in a soft, rounded way, said in a kinder and less direct way than '

2.adjectiveC2
Definition

slightly fat in a soft, rounded way, said in a kinder and less direct way than 'fat'.

Example

Her aunt called the toddler plump, not fat, in the photo.

contrast with 'fat' in polite use

The doctor said Leo was plump but still healthy and active.

Common collocations
  • plump child
  • plump face
  • look plump
  • rather plump
Synonyms
  • chubby

    warmer and often used for children

  • round

    milder and less directly about body fat

  • stout

    older and more formal, often for solid older adults

Antonyms
  • slim

    pleasantly thin

  • skinny

    very thin, often with a negative tone

Grammar Patterns

be + plump

look + plump

a plump child / woman / man

Usage Note

Used mainly for a person's or animal's body, especially when the speaker wants to sound gentle. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 can praise fruit, pillows, or cheeks, but this sense comments on someone's size.

Common Mistakes

The suitcase looks plump.
The child looks plump.
this polite sense is for a living body, not an object.
She is plump because she ate a big lunch.
She feels full because she ate a big lunch.
'plump' describes usual body shape, not one meal.

plump — verb

Word family

  • plumpness
    nounC2
  • plumpish
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

'Plump' is a gentle word for someone who is a little fat in a soft, rounded way. 'Chubby' is even warmer and is often used for babies or young children; with adults, it can sound playful. 'Fat' is the plainest and strongest term, so it may sound rude unless the speaker uses it neutrally about themselves. 'Stout' is older and more formal, and it often suggests a solid older adult rather than a child. 'Round' is milder and less exact, because it points to shape more than body fat. Compare: 'The baby has plump cheeks' sounds affectionate, while 'The baby is fat' sounds much harsher. 'Her uncle is stout' suggests a solid build; 'Her uncle is plump' suggests soft fullness.

plump ↗chubby ↗fat ↗stoutround ↗

Etymology

Middle DutchMiddle EnglishEnglish

English took 'plump' from words in Middle Dutch and related Germanic varieties that meant something like 'blunt' or 'heavy-looking'. In late Middle English, it first had that rougher idea. Over time, the meaning shifted toward a more positive picture of soft, rounded fullness, probably helped by its sound similarity to 'plum'. The verb grew naturally from the adjective: if you plump a pillow, you make it look fuller and softer again.