chubby

Definition

Of a person: slightly overweight, somewhat fat, and hence plump, rounded, and soft.

Etymology

Recorded since 1611, from chub (“short, thick fish species used as bait"; used metaphorically since 1558 for "lazy person”), an assibilated form of cub (“a lump, heap, mass”) and cob, from Middle English *cubbe (found only in derivative cubbel (“a block to which an animal is tethered”)), from Old Norse kubbr, kumbr (“block, stump, log”) and/or Old Norse kumben (“stumpy”), equivalent to chub + -y. Cognate with dialectal Swedish kubbug (“fat, plump, chubby”). More at chub.

Example Sentences

• "Obviously the chubby child was eating too much."
• "Slowly Skye wrapped her arms around the chubby woman's frame and rested her head on Rita's chest drenched with perspiration."
• "It’s quite normal for babies to have chubby cheeks."