Portly means having a round, stout body shape, especially around the middle. When someone is described as portly, they have a noticeable belly and a solid, heavy build. The word usually describes older men: you might picture a portly grandfather with a round belly who needs to buy pants with an expandable waistband.

Unlike words like “fat” or “obese,” which can sound harsh or medical, portly carries a gentler, almost dignified tone. It suggests someone well-fed and prosperous rather than unhealthy. In older books, you'll often find portly businessmen, portly kings, or portly gentlemen who enjoy good food and comfortable living.

Charles Dickens loved this word. In A Christmas Carol, he describes wealthy gentlemen as portly, connecting their round figures with their success and social standing. The word hints at someone who has enjoyed life's pleasures, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically, but without the sharp criticism that harsher words carry. When someone calls a person portly, they're usually being diplomatic, choosing a softer way to describe what they see.