Meaning & use
ectomorphic
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Meaning
adjectivecomparablespecialist
Describing a naturally slim, light body with narrow shoulders, long limbs and little fat or muscle.
Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: an ectomorphic build, or he is ectomorphic.
Patterns
- an ectomorphic build
- an ectomorphic body type
Distance runners are often ectomorphic, with long legs and little body fat.
He is ectomorphic, so building muscle takes him much longer.
The coach noted that ectomorphic players may struggle with heavy contact sports.
Common combinations
- an ectomorphic build
- His ectomorphic build made him a natural climber.
- ectomorphic body type
- People with an ectomorphic body type often find it hard to gain weight.
- an ectomorphic frame
- She has an ectomorphic frame and long arms.
- ectomorphic physique
- Swimmers often have an ectomorphic physique.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lean
- Lean is an everyday word for having little fat, whereas ectomorphic names a particular natural body type.
- slender
- Slender is a general, often flattering word for a slim shape and does not require long limbs or a technical frame.
- lanky
- Lanky suggests being tall and thin in an awkward way and is more informal.
- skinny
- Skinny is informal and can sound negative, while ectomorphic is neutral and technical.
Opposites
Word family
- ectomorph noun
- a person with a lean body type
- mesomorphic adjective
- having a muscular, athletic build
- endomorphic adjective
- having a rounder, softer body type
- somatotype noun
- a classification of body build
Commonly confused: ectomorphic or ectopic?
ectomorphic vs ectopic
Ectopic means occurring in an abnormal place, as in ectopic pregnancy. It has nothing to do with body shape.
Practice
Which person is most likely to be called ectomorphic?
Choose one answer.
Ectomorphic describes a slim, light build with long limbs. The weightlifter and bodybuilder are muscular, and the baker is rounder.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ectomorphic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.