ENGLISH
REFERENCE

torso

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɔɹˌsoʊ// UK //tˈɔːsəʊ// tor·so

n. the main part of your body, not including your head, arms, or legs.

n. the trunk of the human body, excluding the head and limbs.


SIMPLE

He wears a tight shirt that shows off his muscular torso.

CONTEXTUAL

The athlete focused on exercises that strengthen the muscles of the torso to improve his overall balance.

COMPLEX

The marble statue was discovered in several pieces, but the central torso remained remarkably intact, showing the detailed musculature favored by classical sculptors.

Synonyms
Origin

From Italian torso, from Late Latin tursus, from Latin thyrsus, from Ancient Greek θύρσος (thúrsos, “Bacchic staff”). Doublet of thyrse, thyrsus, and torse.

Usage

Commonly used in both medical contexts and when describing physical fitness or art.

© 2026 English Reference