chubby

Everyday

Slightly fat and round in a soft, often cute way, as in «chubby cheeks» or «a chubby baby». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people often say «chubby» about babies, puppies and cheeks in a fond way. In PSHE lessons, children learn that commenting on someone's body or weight can hurt, so it is kinder not to call people chubby. In stories it describes how a character looks.

Examples

• The baby had chubby little hands. tree →
• Our puppy is round and chubby. tree →
• Grandma pinched my chubby cheeks. tree →
• The chubby hamster stuffed seeds into its cheeks. tree →
• It is unkind to tease someone for being chubby. tree →
• The cartoon bear had a chubby tummy. tree →
• This kept mother badger very busy, and the baby badgers very chubby. tree →

Note

Adjective. Comparatives: chubbier, chubbiest (double b, y → i). Softer than «fat» and often affectionate, but can still hurt about older children or adults. Similar: plump, podgy (UK), roly-poly.