well-built

well-built — adjective

1. having a large, solid body with strong muscles that makes someone look physicall

1.形容詞B2
釋義

having a large, solid body with strong muscles that makes someone look physically powerful — for example, a farm worker who carries heavy bags of grain every day, or a guard whose job requires a strong appearance.

例句

Sivan has a well-built frame from years of working on a farm.

well-built + from [activity] — origin of physique

The security guard hired by the bank was a well-built man in his early thirties.

collocation: well-built man

同義詞
  • muscular

    Focuses specifically on visible muscles rather than overall body size; a person can be muscular but not large.

  • burly

    Informal; emphasises large, heavy body size with a rough appearance.

  • stocky

    Describes a short, solid, strong body rather than a tall large one.

  • brawny

    Literary; emphasises muscular strength, similar to 'muscular' but more old-fashioned.

反義詞
  • frail

    Weak and thin, the opposite of large and strong.

  • scrawny

    Informal; unpleasantly thin, lacking muscle.

  • slender

    Gracefully thin; not negative but contrasts with 'large and strong'.

用法筆記

Frequently used to describe men; for women, 'strong' or 'athletic' are more common. This sense describes overall body shape and size rather than just muscle definition.

常見錯誤

❌She is very well-built.
✅She has a strong, athletic build.
💡'well-built' for women can sound unusual; 'strong' or 'athletic' are more common for female bodies.
❌He is a well-built person with good grades.
✅He is a well-built person with a strong physique.
💡'well-built' describes physical strength, not character or intelligence.

2. made or put together in a strong way so that the object, building, or piece of f

2.形容詞B2
釋義

made or put together in a strong way so that the object, building, or piece of furniture is not likely to break, fall apart, or get damaged even after many years of use.

例句

The old wooden cabin was so well-built that it stood for over a hundred years.

so well-built that — result clause structure

Ayana bought a well-built desk made of solid oak for her home office.

well-built + [material: solid oak]

同義詞
  • sturdy

    Suggests something is strong and unlikely to tip over or break; often used for furniture and equipment.

  • durable

    Emphasises the ability to last a long time despite wear, weather, or heavy use.

  • robust

    Suggests strength and resilience, often in a more technical context (machinery, systems).

  • solid

    Implies a feeling of weight and reliability; the object feels firm and well made.

反義詞
  • flimsy

    Weak and easily broken or damaged; the direct opposite of 'well-built'.

  • rickety

    So poorly made that it shakes or looks like it will collapse.

  • shoddy

    Made with poor materials or careless work; implies low quality.

  • fragile

    Easily broken or damaged; often used for delicate rather than poorly made items.

用法筆記

Commonly used for furniture, buildings, vehicles, tools, and other physical objects. Not used for software, digital products, or abstract concepts — use 'well designed' or 'well made' instead.

常見錯誤

❌This software is very well-built.
✅This software is well designed.
💡'well-built' describes physical construction, not digital products.
❌The table is well-built and very expensive.
✅The table is well-built and should last for decades.
💡'well-built' implies durability, not just high cost.