French word

embonpoint

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃bɔ̃pwɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounoverweight

Example

J'ai un peu d'embonpoint après les fêtes.

I am a little overweight after the holidays.

Illustration for embonpoint (overweight)

More examples

Son médecin lui a conseillé de surveiller son embonpoint.

His doctor advised him to watch his weight.

Core concept

Gentle fullness spread across the body, giving a person a pleasantly rounded appearance.

Common phrases

  • avoir un peu d'embonpoint

    be slightly overweight

  • surveiller son embonpoint

    watch one's weight

Similar words

surpoids: A medically defined weight above the standard healthy range.
obésité: A level of excess body fat that can cause health problems.

Definition in French

Désigne une corpulence un peu au-dessus du poids normal, marquée par une rondeur douce plutôt que par l'obésité.

Word origin

The noun embonpoint grew from the Old French phrase en bon point, "in good condition", which came to describe a well-filled body.

Usage tips

  • Embonpoint sounds relatively formal or euphemistic; everyday speech often uses un peu rond or un peu enrobé instead.

Other meanings

  • plumpnessnoun
  • stoutnessnoun

Opposites

  • minceurslimnessnoun

Word lists with this word