What does lardy mean?
Lardy is an informal adjective describing a person or body as excessively fat or plump. It can also characterize something as greasy or having the consistency of lard. The word is blunt and often humorous, but in social contexts it may be perceived as insulting because it directly emphasizes body size. Typical constructions include “lardy body,” “lardy figure,” and “lardy physique.” Although lardy is chiefly associated with British English, it is also understood in American English. It comes from lard, the rendered fat of pigs, and belongs to a family that includes the adverb lardily and the noun lardiness. Because of its expressive, slightly comic quality, lardy is most useful in informal writing or speech when a vivid and potentially teasing description is intended.
adjectiveLardy means excessively fat or plump, often with a humorous or mildly disparaging tone. In some contexts, it can also mean greasy or resembling lard.
- Fat or plump to an excessive degree.
- Greasy, or having the appearance or consistency of lard.
"The comedian made a joke about his increasingly lardy physique."
"By the end of the holiday, he had become noticeably lardy."
"The meat had a greasy, lardy sheen."
Lardy delivers a blunt verdict in one syllable: a lardy figure is unmistakably plump, and the word often adds a comic edge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lardy come from?
Lardy was formed in English by adding the suffix -y to lard. The word developed in the early 19th century, with its principal sense reflecting the idea of being fat or plump like a pig. Its older and less common association with grease or the consistency of lard also follows from the meaning of its source word.
Related word forms
How lardy is actually used
Usually informal and sometimes humorous, though it can be blunt or insulting when used to describe a person's body. Its use is especially associated with British English.
Easily confused with lardy
Lard is the rendered fat of pigs, whereas lardy is an adjective describing someone as fat or plump.