# bodybuilder

/bˈɒdɪbˌɪldɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bodybuilder
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. muscular athlete

noun · CEFR B1

someone who trains with heavy weights to make their muscles as big and shaped as possible for shows.

For teachers: an athlete who performs resistance training and follows a strict nutritional regimen to maximize muscular hypertrophy and definition for aesthetic display.

- The bodybuilder spent two hours at the gym every morning to prepare for the summer competition.
- Professional bodybuilders often follow a rigorous cycle of bulking and cutting to achieve peak muscularity and vascularity before stepping onto the stage.

Usage: Usually refers to those training for aesthetics rather than just functional strength.

Teaching tip: While 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.

### 2. vehicle manufacturer

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Technical

a person or company that builds the outer frame or 'body' of a car or truck.

For teachers: a person or firm that constructs the bodywork of motor vehicles, often onto a pre-made chassis.

- The vintage truck was sent to a specialist bodybuilder to have a custom wooden cabin installed.
- 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.

Usage: In modern English, 'coachbuilder' is the more common term for this specific trade.

Teaching tip: This sense is very rare today and almost exclusively found in historical contexts regarding the automotive industry.

## Examples

- The bodybuilder lifts heavy weights every day.
- Many bodybuilders follow a strict diet that includes high amounts of protein to support their muscle growth.
- While some people exercise for general health, a professional bodybuilder focuses on hypertrophy, the process of increasing muscle size through intense resistance training and precise nutritional intake.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.