podgy

Everyday

1. (informal, mainly UK) A little fat, short and soft-looking. tree →
2. (informal) Soft and fleshy, of hands, fingers or a face. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories to describe a chubby person, pet or a baby's hands, often in a fond or teasing way; it can hurt if said about someone's body to their face. Phrases: «podgy little fingers», «a podgy puppy», «a bit podgy».

Examples

• The baby grabbed my finger with her podgy hand. tree →
• Our cat got podgy after the neighbours kept feeding her. tree →
• He was a podgy boy with red cheeks and a big grin. tree →
• The puppy's podgy tummy wobbled as it ran. tree →
• Grandad patted his podgy belly after Christmas dinner. tree →
• "Don't call him podgy, it's unkind," Mum said. tree →
• The teddy had a podgy face and button eyes. tree →

Note

Informal, mostly British; American English says «pudgy». Comparative «podgier», superlative «podgiest». Talking about someone's weight can be rude, so it is kinder to keep such words for babies, animals and toys. Not a maths word.