roly-poly

/'rouli'pouli/

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The word "roly-poly" can be used both as an adjective and a noun. Let’s break it down:

As an Adjective:

1. Meaning: When you describe someone or something as "roly-poly," you mean they are short and plump, often in a cute or endearing way.
2. Usage: You can use it to describe people, animals, or even objects that have a rounded shape.
3. Example: "The little puppy was so roly-poly that it could hardly walk without tumbling over."

As a Noun:

1. Meaning: In British English, "roly-poly" can refer to a type of pudding made with suet pastry (a type of fat) that is spread with jam or fruit, rolled up, and then either baked or steamed.
2. Usage: You can use it when talking about desserts or traditional British meals.
3. Example: "For dessert, we had a delicious roly-poly filled with strawberries."

Advanced Usage:

• Roly-poly can also be used informally to describe a person who is round and chubby, often in a playful or affectionate way.
• Example: "He’s a cheerful, roly-poly fellow who always makes everyone laugh."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "roly-poly" in terms of different forms of the word, but you can use related words like "plump" or "chubby" to describe similar characteristics.

Different Meaning:

• Besides the meanings mentioned above, "roly-poly" can also refer to a children's toy that is rounded at the bottom and always returns to an upright position when pushed.

Synonyms:

• For the adjective meaning:
  • Chubby
  • Plump
  • Round
• For the noun meaning (the dessert):
  • Sponge pudding (but this may refer to different types of pudding)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "roly-poly," but you might come across phrases that use synonyms, like "round as a ball" to describe someone who is very plump.

Summary:

• Roly-poly (adjective): Short and plump, often cute.
• Roly-poly (noun): A type of pudding or a round, plump person.

Academic

Adjective

1. short and plump

Noun

1. pudding made of suet pastry spread with jam or fruit and rolled up and baked or steamed
2. a rotund individual

Synonyms

• dumpy
• podgy
• pudgy
• tubby
• roly-poly pudding
• fatso
• fatty
• fat person
• butterball