Pudgy
/ˈpʌdʒi/noun
Having a short, plump, or chubby build.
Did you know?Unlike words such as “mortgage” or “disaster,” *pudgy* doesn’t hide a dramatic ancient curse; it’s a relatively modern English word that likely began as a regional, expressive form built around *pudge*, meaning a small lump or plumpness.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
English
pudgy
“Short and plump; chubby.”
19th Century
English
pudge
“A lump, swelling, or plumpness; also used for a short, stout person.”
19th Century
English
podgy
“Fat and rounded; plump.”
19th Century
English
podge
“A thick, lumpish mass or a plump shape.”