portly UK /ˈpɔːtli/US /ˈpɔɹtli/ adjective2 •Somewhat fat, pudgy, overweight.In the length he attains, and in his baleen, the Fin-back resembles the right whale, but is of a less portly girth, and a lighter colour, approaching to olive. — 1851 •(no longer used) Having a dignified bearing; handsome, imposing.He sends this Souldans daughter rich and braue, To be my Queene and portly Emperesse, […] — 1587 formsportlier · portliest