Large vs. Stocky — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 1, 2024
Large refers to overall size, often implying greater height or width; stocky describes a solid, broad, and sturdy build, typically shorter and thicker.
Difference Between Large and Stocky
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Large typically implies something with considerable dimensions, such as greater height, length, or volume, suggesting a general measurement. On the other hand, stocky specifically refers to a build that is wide and solid, often suggesting a compact, muscular form rather than just size.
When describing people, large can refer to both height and weight without specificity towards body composition. In contrast, stocky is often used to describe someone who is not necessarily tall but has a broad, muscular frame.
In terms of animals, a large breed can include dogs like Great Danes, known for their towering height. Conversely, stocky breeds such as Bulldogs are recognized for their robust and wide-bodied appearance, despite their shorter stature.
In sports, a large player might be valued for their reach and physical presence, like a basketball player. Stocky athletes, however, are often appreciated for their stability and strength, such as in wrestling or football linebackers.
When considering objects, large can be applied to any item that is significantly bigger than usual, like a large suitcase. Stocky, however, would describe objects that are notably broad and compact, like a stocky piece of furniture which emphasizes durability and solidity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Big in size, height, or width
Broad, solid, and robust build
Typical Use
General size description
Describes build or physique
In People
Tall or heavy individuals
Muscular, broad individuals
In Animals
Large breeds like elephants
Compact breeds like bulldogs
In Objects
Anything oversized
Broad, sturdy items
Compare with Definitions
Large
Used to describe larger-than-average clothing sizes.
He wears a size large.
Stocky
Describing an object that is both short and wide.
She preferred stocky furniture for the small room.
Large
Great in size or amount.
They moved into a large house.
Stocky
Compact and strong in form.
The old oak tree was short but stocky.
Large
Encompassing a wide range or scope.
She had a large circle of friends.
Stocky
Heavy and solid in appearance.
He drove a stocky little car.
Large
Broad or extensive in effect or reach.
The decision had large implications.
Stocky
Broad and sturdily built.
The stocky wrestler moved with surprising agility.
Large
Significant in scale or degree.
The project received large funding.
Stocky
Relatively short and heavyset.
The stocky dog was surprisingly fast.
Large
Of considerable or relatively great size, extent, or capacity
Add a large clove of garlic
The concert attracted large crowds
The jumper comes in small, medium, and large sizes
Stocky
Solidly built; sturdy.
Large
Of wide range or scope
We can afford to take a larger view of the situation
Stocky
Chubby; plump.
Large
Enjoy oneself in a lively way with drink or drugs and music
He's known in clubland for his capacity for larging it
Stocky
(of a person or an animal) Sturdy; solidly built; heavy and compact.
Large
Another term for free (sense 2 of the adverb)
Stocky
Short and thick; thick rather than tall or corpulent.
Stocky, twisted, hunchback stems.
Large
Of greater than average size, extent, quantity, or amount; big.
Stocky
Headstrong.
Large
Of greater than average scope, breadth, or capacity; comprehensive.
Stocky
Heavy and compact in form or stature;
A wrestler of compact build
He was tall and heavyset
Stocky legs
A thick middle-aged man
A thickset young man
Large
Important; significant
Had a large role in the negotiations.
A large producer of paper goods.
Large
Understanding and tolerant; liberal
A large and generous spirit.
Large
Of great magnitude or intensity; grand
“a rigid resistance to the large emotions” (Stephen Koch).
Large
Pretentious; boastful. Used of speech or manners.
Large
(Obsolete) Gross; coarse. Used of speech or language.
Large
(Nautical) Favorable. Used of a wind.
Large
(Slang) A thousand dollars
Bought a speedboat for 50 large.
Large
Of considerable or relatively great size or extent.
Russia is a large country.
The fruit-fly has large eyes for its body size.
He has a large collection of stamps.
Large
That is large the manufactured size.
Large
(obsolete) Abundant; ample.
Large
(archaic) Full in statement; diffuse; profuse.
Large
(obsolete) Free; unencumbered.
Large
(obsolete) Unrestrained by decorum; said of language.
Large
(nautical) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.
Large
An old musical note, equal to two longas, four breves, or eight semibreves.
Large
(obsolete) Liberality, generosity.
Large
A thousand dollars/pounds.
Getting a car tricked out like that will cost you 50 large.
Large
An item labelled or denoted as being that size.
One small coffee and two larges, please.
Large
One who fits an item of that size.
Large
(nautical) Before the wind.
Large
Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; - opposed to small; as, a large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.
Large
Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.
We have yet large day.
Large
Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.
I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education.
Large
Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; - said of the mind and heart.
Large
Free; unembarrassed.
Of burdens all he set the Paynims large.
Large
Unrestrained by decorum; - said of language.
Large
Prodigal in expending; lavish.
Large
Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; - said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.
Large
Freely; licentiously.
Large
A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.
Large
A garment size for a large person
Large
Above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent;
A large city
Set out for the big city
A large sum
A big (or large) barn
A large family
Big businesses
A big expenditure
A large number of newspapers
A big group of scientists
Large areas of the world
Large
Fairly large or important in effect; influential;
Played a large role in the negotiations
Large
Large enough to be visible to the naked eye
Large
Ostentatiously lofty in style;
A man given to large talk
Tumid political prose
Large
Generous and understanding and tolerant;
A heart big enough to hold no grudges
That's very big of you to be so forgiving
A large and generous spirit
A large heart
Magnanimous toward his enemies
Large
Conspicuous in position or importance;
A big figure in the movement
Big man on campus
He's very large in financial circles
A prominent citizen
Large
Having broad power and range and scope;
Taking the large view
A large effect
A large sympathy
Large
In an advanced stage of pregnancy;
Was big with child
Was great with child
Large
At a distance, wide of something (as of a mark)
Large
With the wind abaft the beam;
A ship sailing large
Large
In a boastful manner;
He talked big all evening
Common Curiosities
Can large and stocky be used interchangeably?
No, as large refers more to overall size, while stocky focuses on a robust and compact physique.
Which sports benefit from stocky players?
Sports that require stability and strength, like wrestling or football, often benefit from stocky players.
How do clothing sizes relate to the term 'large'?
In clothing, large typically refers to larger-than-average sizes in terms of both height and girth.
What kind of furniture would be described as stocky?
Furniture that is broad, short, and solid, emphasizing durability, can be described as stocky.
Can someone be both large and stocky?
Yes, someone can be both large and stocky if they are both tall and have a solid, muscular build.
What does a stocky build imply in humans?
A stocky build in humans implies a physique that is wide, solid, and often muscular, typically without being very tall.
What kind of animals might be described as stocky?
Animals like bulldogs or corgis, known for their muscular and compact bodies, are often described as stocky.
How is 'stocky' different from just being large?
Stocky refers to a build that is solid, broad, and muscular, often without being particularly tall.
Is a large object always big in all dimensions?
Large objects are typically big in one or more dimensions, such as height, length, or volume, but not necessarily all.
Are all stocky objects short?
Most stocky objects are notable for being short and wide, giving a perception of solidity and compactness.
What does 'large' typically imply?
Large generally refers to something with considerable overall dimensions, such as height or width.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
