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portly

[pawrt-lee, pohrt-] / ˈpɔrt li, ˈpoʊrt- /


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

But instead of portly people enjoying futuristic entertainment, we will all be skinnier thanks to today’s GLP-1 medications.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 23, 2026

By this point, the buzz and attention surrounding the portly left-hander had reached a fever pitch, and the impact was as wide as it was sudden.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 22, 2024

As I grew up, a frequent refrain from friends and family members—in particular my zaftig aunts and portly uncles—was to opine about how they wished they were slim like me.

From Slate Oct. 4, 2023

Ahmed, a portly man sporting a handlebar moustache and his trademark white turban, exuded an aura of fear wherever he went, embodying the archetype of a gangster-politician.

From BBC May 14, 2023

She heard shouting behind her as she spun around a portly butcher who stood gaping at her with a cleaver in his hands.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

Mr. Gong’s Abby, older and portlier, is a terrier-beagle.

From New York Times Apr. 22, 2023

"Most excitingly, our treasured, mischievous Peter Rabbit makes an appearance – albeit older, slower and portlier."

From Reuters Jan. 26, 2016

As the luckless Vinnie, Mr. Van Swearingen, considerably shorter and portlier than Mr. Shannon, sports the saddest-looking combover I’ve ever seen — it’s really a half-combover.

From New York Times Aug. 9, 2013

“She’s talking to my twin,” he said, apparently not offended that Mr. Asner is portlier than the real thing.

From New York Times May 19, 2011

Sir Norman,—a little portlier, a little graver, in the serious dignity of pater familias; and Leoline, with the dark, beautiful eyes, the falling, shining hair, the sweet smiling lips, and lovely, placid face of old.

From The Midnight Queen by May Agnes Fleming

Besides his quiet banking vocation, he was, I think, the portliest of the family, which may be the explanation.

From Personal Recollections of Early Melbourne and Victoria by William Westgarth

“Very pretty!” murmured the ladies, and the portliest of them went a step further and added: “And cheap!” but no one showed the faintest disposition to buy.

From The Love Affairs of Pixie by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey

He grew to be very thin before he died, thinner than Benjamin Dobbs, who is now portliest among the portly.

From Hans Brinker; or, the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge

"Nay, fair one, you pass not our bounds without toll," said the portliest of the set.

From The Prince and the Page; a story of the last crusade by Charlotte Mary Yonge

Of course they must!—the case was as plain as the portliest of noses on the most rubicund of faces.

From Homes of American Statesmen With Anecdotical, Personal, and Descriptive Sketches by Various




Vocabulary lists containing portly


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