rotund

1 of 2

adjective

ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd
Synonyms of rotundnext
1
: marked by roundness : rounded
2
: marked by fullness of sound or cadence : orotund, sonorous
a master of rotund diction
3
: notably plump : chubby
rotundity
rō-ˈtən-də-tē How to pronounce rotund (audio)
noun
rotundly
rō-ˈtənd-lē How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd-
adverb
rotundness
rō-ˈtən(d)-nəs How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd-
noun

rotundity

2 of 2

noun

ro·​tun·​di·​ty -ndətē How to pronounce rotundity (audio)
-ətē, 
-i
plural -es
1
a
: the quality or state of being rotund : roundness
the thick rotundity o' the world—Shakespeare
b
: a round mass or object
laid his hand caressingly upon the consoling rotundity of a five-gallon keg—Elinor Wylie
2
a
: rounded fullness of language
scholars disputing … with leisured rotundity of phrase—R. W. Southern
b
: a rotund phrase
its adorable simplicities compensate even for its Johnsonian rotundities—H. J. Laski
3
a
: roundness of the body : plumpness
a sparer diet had checked the movement towards rotundity—John Buchan
b
: a rounded part of the body
a cozy creased rotundity between waistcoat and table—Clemence Dane

Synonyms of rotund

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Adjective

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Examples of rotund in a Sentence

Adjective a rotund little man who, predictably, was asked to play Santa every year the actor's distinct baritone and his clear and rotund elocution are especially effective in dramatic readings
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
His rotund frame and bald head gave him the appearance of a human bowling ball. — Gabriel Sherman, HollywoodReporter, 3 Feb. 2026 VanTuyle wound up doing the walrus voice for the final version of the movie, which just might make the tusk, whiskered, somewhat dopey and pleasingly rotund character a star. — Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 26 Nov. 2025 Joe Gargery, comparing slices of bread; the rotund voice of Mr Jaggers in Great Expectations. — Literary Hub, 12 May 2026 The doc noted that Winne The Pooh is banned in China after its president was once compared to the rotund bear of the classic children’s story. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rotund

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin rotundus, probably alteration of Old Latin *retundus; akin to Latin rota wheel — more at roll

Noun

Latin rotunditat-, rotunditas, from rotundus round + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotund was in the 15th century

Rhymes for rotund

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Browse Nearby Words

Rotuma
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Cite this Entry

“Rotund.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotund. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rotund

adjective
ro·​tund rō-ˈtənd How to pronounce rotund (audio)
ˈrō-ˌtənd
1
: somewhat round
2
: plump entry 5
rotundity
rō-ˈtən-dət-ē How to pronounce rotund (audio)
noun

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