broad in the beam
Meaning
Having a wide body or figure; stout/overweight (originally describing a ship with a wide beam).
Origin
From nautical usage: a ship’s “beam” is its width at the widest point. “Broad in the beam” first described wide, stable vessels, then broadened metaphorically to people/animals with wide hips/torso.
Notes
Somewhat old-fashioned/descriptive. Can be a tactful euphemism for “stout,” but may still sound impolite if used about someone’s body.
Examples
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The old fishing boat was broad in the beam, which made it feel steady even in rough seas.
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She chose a broad-in-the-beam sailboat for long coastal trips because it handled waves so calmly.
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The designer went with a broad-in-the-beam hull to add stability and more cabin space.
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That yacht looks broad in the beam compared with the racing skiffs lined up beside it.
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In the harbor, the broad-in-the-beam trawler sat low and solid, barely rocking as the wind picked up.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Adjectival phrase used predicatively (“He is broad in the beam”) or attributively (“a broad-in-the-beam man/boat”). Hyphenation is common before a noun.
Synonyms
- wide-bodied
- stout
- stocky
- heavyset
Antonyms
- slim
- thin
- lean
- narrow-hipped