Stout Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Published on November 7, 2025
Stout means having a strong, heavy, solid build, often implying robust health or strength. e.g., The stout walls of the fortress have withstood many sieges.
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Stout Definitions
Thick and strong in form or build; sturdy.
He was a stout man, capable of heavy lifting.
(Of an object) Strongly made and capable of withstanding rough use.
The stout table lasted for generations.
Resolute or unwavering.
His stout loyalty to his friends was admirable.
Strong and thick; robust.
The stout beams support the weight of the roof.
Bulky in figure; thickset or corpulent.
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Strong in body; sturdy
Added a stout defensive end to improve the front line.
Thick or strong in structure or substance; solid or substantial
"They met a stout barrier of old farm-carts upturned" (J.R.R. Tolkien).
Having or marked by boldness or determination; resolute
Stout of heart.
Stubborn or uncompromising
Put up stout resistance to the proposal.
Having a strong flavor
A cup of stout coffee.
A thickset or corpulent person.
A garment size for a large or heavy figure.
A very dark ale or lager beer.
Large; bulky.
(obsolete) Bold, strong-minded.
(obsolete) Proud; haughty.
Firm; resolute; dauntless.
Materially strong, enduring.
Campers prefer stout vessels, sticks and cloth.
Obstinate.
(beer) A dark and strong malt brew made with toasted grain.
Stout is darker, stronger and sweeter than porter beer.
An obese person.
A large clothing size.
Gnat.
Gadfly.
(dialectal) Firefly or miller moth.
To be bold or defiant.
To persist, endure.
Strong; lusty; vigorous; robust; sinewy; muscular; hence, firm; resolute; dauntless.
With hearts stern and stout.
A stouter champion never handled sword.
He lost the character of a bold, stout, magnanimous man.
The lords all standTo clear their cause, most resolutely stout.
Proud; haughty; arrogant; hard.
Your words have been stout against me.
Commonly . . . they that be rich are lofty and stout.
Firm; tough; materially strong; enduring; as, a stout vessel, stick, string, or cloth.
Large; bulky; corpulent.
A strong, dark malt brew having a higher percentage of hops than porter; strong porter; a popular variety sold in the U. S. is Guinness' stout.
A strong very dark heavy-bodied ale made from pale malt and roasted unmalted barley and (often) caramel malt with hops
A garment size for a large or heavy person
Dependable;
The stalwart citizens at Lexington
A stalwart supporter of the UN
Stout hearts
Euphemisms for `fat';
Men are portly and women are stout
Having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships;
Hardy explorers of northern Canada
Proud of her tall stalwart son
Stout seamen
Sturdy young athletes
Courageous, brave, or determined.
The stout heart of the hero inspired all.
Of strong character or resolution; firm.
She showed stout resistance against the unfair policies.
Substantial in quality or amount; solid.
They built a stout defense against the accusations.
(Of fabric or clothing) Durable and strong.
He wore a stout pair of boots for hiking.
Having a dark, rich flavor (especially referring to stout beer).
The stout beer had a deep, satisfying taste.
Heavily built; bulky.
The stout door was nearly impossible to break through.
Stout Snonyms
Hearty
Physically vigorous; healthy.
He gave us a hearty handshake that spoke volumes of his vitality.
Tough
Able to endure hardship or pain; physically robust.
The tough fabric was perfect for outdoor gear.
Robust
Strong and healthy; vigorous.
The elderly athlete was surprisingly robust.
Strong
Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks.
She's strong enough to compete in weightlifting contests.
Sturdy
Strongly and solidly built.
The sturdy furniture could withstand a lot of wear and tear.
Resilient
Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
The community was resilient in the face of the disaster.
Durable
Able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard-wearing.
They chose durable materials for the playground equipment.
Hardy
Capable of enduring difficult conditions; strong and resilient.
The hardy plants survived the first frost.
Rugged
Strongly built or constituted; robust.
The rugged landscape matched his adventurous spirit.
Brawny
Physically strong; muscular.
The brawny worker lifted the heavy crate with ease.
Stout Idioms & Phrases
As stout as an oak
Very strong or robust.
Grandpa was as stout as an oak, even in his old age.
Stout-hearted
Brave and determined.
The stout-hearted soldier was ready to face any challenge.
Stout defense
A strong and determined defense.
The team put up a stout defense and won the game.
Stand stout
To remain firm or resolute.
Despite the pressure, she stood stout against the opposition.
Stout Example Sentences
The stout walls of their home provided a sense of security.
The stout pillars supported the ancient bridge for centuries.
He preferred stout beer for its rich flavor.
She admired his stout spirit during difficult times.
Their stout opposition to the plan forced a reconsideration.
The team's stout defense was key to their victory.
They built a stout reputation for quality craftsmanship.
The garden was enclosed by a stout wooden fence.
Her stout refusal to compromise surprised everyone.
She wore stout shoes for the hike through the rough terrain.
The ship's stout construction allowed it to withstand the harsh sea conditions.
The stout-hearted volunteers worked tirelessly to aid those affected by the flood.
The stout tree stood firm against the storm.
Her advice was always stout and practical.
Despite the cold, he felt warm in his stout woolen coat.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called stout?
Stout originates from the Middle English word stout, related to the Old Norse word stutr meaning "short, stumpy" and later evolving to imply strength and robustness in English. The term came to denote something strong, durable, or brave.
How many syllables are in stout?
Stout has one syllable.
How is stout used in a sentence?
Stout is used to describe something or someone as physically strong, durable, or of firm character. e.g., The old castle was surrounded by stout walls.
What is the root word of stout?
The root of stout comes from the Old Norse stutr, meaning "short, stumpy," which evolved in Middle English to describe strength and solidity.
What is a stressed syllable in stout?
The entire word stout is stressed, as it consists of only one syllable.
How do we divide stout into syllables?
Since stout is a single-syllable word, it is not divided.
What is the verb form of stout?
Stout is primarily used as an adjective and does not have a conventional verb form. Its action-related qualities are described using verbs like "strengthen" or "fortify."
What is another term for stout?
Another term for stout is "robust" when referring to strength or durability, or "hearty" when describing a person's constitution.
What is the pronunciation of stout?
Stout is pronounced as \ˈstau̇t.
Is stout a negative or positive word?
Stout generally has a positive connotation, associated with strength, durability, and resilience.
Is stout a vowel or consonant?
The letter "s" in stout is a consonant.
Is stout a collective noun?
No, stout is not typically used as a collective noun.
Is the word stout Gerund?
No, stout does not have a gerund form because it is not a verb.
Is the word “stout” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
As an adjective, stout cannot be a direct or indirect object. However, when used as a noun (e.g., referring to beer), it can serve as a direct object in a sentence, such as "I ordered a stout."
Which determiner is used with stout?
Determiners used with stout depend on its role in a sentence. For stout as an adjective, usual determiners for adjectives apply. For stout as a noun (beer), articles like "a" or "the" can be used, e.g., "a stout" or "the stout."
What is the singular form of stout?
Stout is used the same way in both singular and plural contexts, as it is an adjective.
What is the opposite of stout?
The opposite of stout, depending on the context, could be "weak," "frail," or "slender."
Is the stout term a metaphor?
The term "stout" can be used metaphorically to describe someone's character as strong or resilient.
What is the plural form of stout?
As an adjective, stout does not have a plural form. It modifies nouns regardless of their number.
Is stout an abstract noun?
No, stout is not an abstract noun. When used as a noun, it often refers to a specific type of beer.
Is stout a countable noun?
When used as a noun referring to beer, stout can be countable. For example, "two stouts."
Which article is used with stout?
The article "a" is commonly used with stout when it functions as a countable noun (referring to beer), e.g., "I would like to order a stout."
Is stout an adverb?
No, stout is not an adverb. It is an adjective that describes nouns.
Is the word stout imperative?
No, stout is not used in the imperative mood, as it is an adjective, not a verb.
Which conjunction is used with stout?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used with stout, depending on how it is incorporated into the sentence.
What part of speech is stout?
Stout functions as an adjective, describing a noun as strong, heavy, or robust.
Is stout a noun or adjective?
Stout is primarily an adjective, although it can function as a noun in specific contexts, especially when referring to a type of beer.
Which vowel is used before stout?
Typically, "a" is used before stout because stout begins with a consonant sound. e.g., "a stout wall."
Which preposition is used with stout?
Common prepositions used with stout include "of" when stout describes a characteristic of something, and "in" when referring to stout beer, e.g., "walls of stout construction" and "interested in stout."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
