adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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UK:/bɹɔːni/
US:/bɹɔni/
cot-caught-merger:/bɹɑni/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:B R AO1 N IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Characterized by brawn; muscular, thewy; strong.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Rattler was a big, brawny fellow, and he stepped up in front of me, rolling up his sleeves.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Calloused; hardened.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adjective satellite
Meaning 3
(of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a hefty athlete
a muscular boxer
powerful arms
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hefty, muscular, powerful, sinewy
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle English brawny; equivalent to brawn + -y.
Across languages
Translations
31 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
силен
(silen)
— characterized by brawn
Bulgarian:
мускулест
(muskulest)
— characterized by brawn
Czech:
svalnatý
— characterized by brawn
Czech:
robustní
— characterized by brawn
Danish:
kraftig
— characterized by brawn
Danish:
muskuløs
— characterized by brawn
Dutch:
gespierd
— characterized by brawn
Finnish:
lihaksikas
— characterized by brawn
French:
balèze
— characterized by brawn
French:
balaise
— characterized by brawn
German:
muskulös
— characterized by brawn
German:
muskelbepackt
— characterized by brawn
Irish:
matánach
— characterized by brawn
Italian:
muscoloso
— characterized by brawn
Latin:
torōsus
— characterized by brawn
Macedonian:
силен
(silen)
— characterized by brawn
Macedonian:
мускулест
(muskulest)
— characterized by brawn
Macedonian:
јак
(jak)
— characterized by brawn
Marathi:
धट्टाकट्टा
(dhaṭṭākaṭṭā)
— characterized by brawn
Marathi:
धष्टपुष्ट
(dhaṣṭapuṣṭa)
— characterized by brawn
Marathi:
धिप्पाड
(dhippāḍ)
— characterized by brawn
Middle English:
brawny
— characterized by brawn
Polish:
muskularny
— characterized by brawn
Polish:
krzepki
— characterized by brawn
Portuguese:
musculoso
— characterized by brawn
Russian:
мускули́стый
(muskulístyj)
— characterized by brawn
Scottish Gaelic:
tomadach
— characterized by brawn
