bodybuilder
- 01 B1 Intermediate
someone who trains with heavy weights to make their muscles as big and shaped as possible for shows.
an athlete who performs resistance training and follows a strict nutritional regimen to maximize muscular hypertrophy and definition for aesthetic display.
Simple“The bodybuilder spent two hours at the gym every morning to prepare for the summer competition.”
In context“Professional bodybuilders often follow a rigorous cycle of bulking and cutting to achieve peak muscularity and vascularity before stepping onto the stage.”
UsageUsually refers to those training for aesthetics rather than just functional strength.
Teacher's tipWhile often used interchangeably with 'weightlifter' in casual speech, a bodybuilder specifically focuses on the appearance and size of muscles rather than just the amount of weight they can lift.
Synonymsweightliftermuscleman - 02 C2 Proficiency
a person or company that builds the outer frame or 'body' of a car or truck.
a person or firm that constructs the bodywork of motor vehicles, often onto a pre-made chassis.
Simple“The vintage truck was sent to a specialist bodybuilder to have a custom wooden cabin installed.”
In context“In the early twentieth century, it was common for a customer to buy a chassis from a car maker and hire a bespoke bodybuilder to finish the exterior.”
UsageIn modern English, 'coachbuilder' is the more common term for this specific trade.
Teacher's tipThis sense is very rare today and almost exclusively found in historical contexts regarding the automotive industry.
Synonymscoachbuilder
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰewdʰ- Proto-West Germanic *bodag Old English bodiġ Middle English bodi English body Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan Old English bytlan Middle English bylden Latin -ariusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere Middle English byldere English builder English bodybuilder From body + builder.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.