Let's talk about the word "curvy"

[SweetSam42]

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

 

[Paul_Chance]

I think of it as a body type, independent of size. A classic hourglass figure, or nice rounded sloping curves.

 

[Wanderer0327]

For me, curvy means at least a sight hourglass figure and possibly an exaggerated hourglass figure. Waist size only means something in relation to the rest of the woman. That's my take.

 

[jojodancer]

curvy

curvy..or curvaceous...to me, means a woman with some flesh on her bones...not fat...definitely not model skinny
i usually use the term.."womanly"

 

[blazin24]

I think of it as a body type, independent of size. A classic hourglass figure, or nice rounded sloping curves.

This is the way I would describe "curvy".

Also, it doesn't mean you overweight at all.

 

[xSleepingBeauty]

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

Honestly, I've never thought of the word "curvy" in a negative way. I describe myself that way, and I'm pretty damn proud of it.

I do find it seriously annoying that Hollywood celebrities who aren't skin and bones are referred to as "curvy", when they are anything but. I'm assuming that everyone has a different opinion as to what it means and whether or not it is positive or negative.

I like it though! And if I had to define it, I'd say that it's a woman who has an hourglass shape, maybe a few extra pounds but certainly not obese. Soft. Enjoyable to look at and touch! I might be biased though

 

[juttjaw]

I very rarely post, but when I do... it's usually some sarcastic Bullshit.. here is my attempt at "adult" posting.

Curvy? What does it mean to me?
40's pin up girls. .. ample breasts with a hint or no so hint of a tummy... I can't believe I just said tummy. Well, typed it. At any rate, I found it curious that the older I got, the more my vision of a perfect female form became. I went from liking the skinny teeny body when I was of that age, to more voluptuous and curvy (there's that word again). Being a bit of a thinker by nature, I explored my own feelings and reasons behind my changing tastes.... then I realized a profound gut feeling. I remembered as a child being taken to the art museum in Denver. I dint remember the artists or the names of the paintings, but I remember looking at the old masters nudes. Women with fair skin, ample breasts and hips that just didn't quit! By today's paparazzi pics and the cover of the "Globe" scandal rags, those women would be on the "guess who this is" wall of shame. I remember being in awe of the beauty of that form. Not necessarily turned on, but just admiring the beauty. I then deduced that this form (curvy) has always and will always be the form us humans will associate with health, vitality and being able to drop a shit load of kids and further extending our human race. See, it's engrained in our physical make up. Its just a shame that we are also influenced by the majorities herd.
Long story short, curves are hot... ribs are not... unless they are smoked at 225 degrees for 6 to 8 hours...
That is all.

 

[Wolfking05]

I agree with what everyone has said. An hourglass figure with larger than average breasts and nicely sloping curves from waist to hips and ass. To me it definitely does not mean overweight and is most certainly not a negative description.

 

[naughtysweetman]

Sam, I basically agree that the common definition of "curvy" has grown to also encompass women who are oveweight to women who are .... well ... quite large. But that's not how I interpret or use the term.

To me, curvy means having a beautifully curved or rounded shape to key parts of a woman's body - for example breasts, hips (curves probably also imply a defined waist), butt, lower back, etc. To me, her curves are the things that distinguish a woman's body from a man's and makes her look so attractive.

I'm speaking solely for myself, so other people may use it differently. However, when I describe a woman as curvy, it's absolutely a compliment!!!

And you, you beautiful and sexy woman, are curvy!!!!!!

..... I might be biased though

Regardless, you are also 100% correct!


... and also 100% beautifully curvy!

 

[bcbigbadwolf]

To me the word "curvey" describes a woman who has tits, ass and hips despite the size. Curvey women are sexy if they carry themselves that way. I think it is a sexy word.

 

[AircraftMech]

I think of curvy as someone who is not a stick figure. I love an hourglass figure and that is what I think of when I hear the word curvy. But that is my thinking. I know others use that word way out of context and think curvy means immensely overweight.

 

[funluvinaj]

I've had many use the term curvy or voluptuous to describe me but I'm a lot bigger than Sam and definitely overweight. However I do have the hourglass figure.

I think sometime people use the term curvy to be nice to bigger girls like me... However I see it as someone who is like Marilyn Monroe... An 8-14 range. I'm more rubenesque and I'm alright with that.

 

[Kveldulf]

So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

You are correct that a semantic shift has occurred for the descriptor 'curvy' with respect to the female form, but the actual shift is the inverse relationship to that which you suggest. The more traditional use of curvy is to describe a woman with an hourglass figure, as has been pointed out by other posters above. However, the meaning of curvy had broadened via its use as a euphemism for an overweight woman. Still, despite the semantic broadening, what appears to be the most common use of the term still implies a body type in which the bust and hips are proportionally larger than the natural waist of the woman in question, regardless of overall body-size/weight.

It is worth noting that overweight itself has not been immune to semantic broadening. As it pertains to people, the term originally was envisioned to describe a range between ideal weight and obese. However, because the term can also be used as a generic for anything that is over a prescribed weight, regardless of the amount over the prescribed weight, its usage with humans has also broadened to be a cover term for any individual above the purported ideal weight for a given gender/height combination.

So, if we use the more traditional usages of both terms, we can say that a woman may be both curvy and overweight, so long as her proportions are appropriate to definition of curvy, but not all curvy women are overweight as the proper proportions are the essential semantic element of curvy, not overall size.

 

[morgan12]

When I think of 'Curvy' in a woman, the image of Linda Carter in her Wonder Woman outfit fills my head. To me, that is sexy and arousing. Strong and nurturing all in one. Confidant and self assured of how she looks. Ready to kick-ass and cuddle all at the same time.

 

[SweetSam42]

Love everyone's responses. Keep them coming!

I've had many use the term curvy or voluptuous to describe me but I'm a lot bigger than Sam and definitely overweight. However I do have the hourglass figure.

I think sometime people use the term curvy to be nice to bigger girls like me... However I see it as someone who is like Marilyn Monroe... An 8-14 range. I'm more rubenesque and I'm alright with that.

I am good with the size 8-14 range. (and you are so not "a lot bigger" than me, sister)

So, if we use the more traditional usages of both terms, we can say that a woman may be both curvy and overweight, so long as her proportions are appropriate to definition of curvy, but not all curvy women are overweight as the proper proportions are the essential semantic element of curvy, not overall size.

So are all overweight women "curvy"?

 

[Domesticity]

I use curvy to describe someone with nice soft lines but who is proportionate. I'm not thin but when I've tried to find words to describe my figure, BBW or chubby just don't work because they tend to make me (and others) think of lumps and bumps rather than flowing soft lines. So, for me, curvy means my body has a well defined feminine shape. when I use it to describe another woman it means the same: Well defined womanly shape (hips, full breasts, waist, legs not too thin). A woman can be curvy and wear a size 6 or size 16 depending on how she carries her weight

 

[foxyfiona]

I don't think I'd describe you as curvy but you do have form and shape so maybe shapely.however that sounds worse. I agree that the curvy term is a bit over used with 'fat' connections. I am not curvy(a bit slim) but I have oversized breasts(my best feature) so I've been described as curvy so I deduce this means, wow you have massive tits!!!!!
In your case however, you do have curves, but they are harmonious flowing from one to the other. Some subtle some less so. It makes you oh so beautiful and very,very sexy! I think it means different things for different people and a wide spread of sized people(mostly women)
I also agree with jutjaws response.

 

[newguy4321]

..........

 

[Saxon_Hart]

A curvy woman to me is a woman who has hips and breasts. Weight to me has nothing to do with it.

 

[seth6138]

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

I think Kate Upton wen I hear it...not model thin but...size 8-10, maybe a 12 but still very sexy

 

[DriftWood75]

I think Curvy as a term has gained a lot of ground and like others have said seems to get stuck on nearly anyone who has anything resembling larger boobs (a la Johanssen)

To me curvy is a tad above simple hour glass, more definition on boobs and hips though in proportion and soft lines.

 

[mackkjackk]

i'm a bit drunk but..
Curvy is my favorite type of woman -
I dont enjoy seeing excessive ribs etc on some thinner women and i enjoy the thought of holding a curvy woman comfortably and cosily
i suppose its the middle ground between skinny and ? plus?? shall i call it normal ?

 

[wilderness]

What I think about curvy - A surface that deviates from planarity in a smooth, continuous fashion.(much more interesting surface whether driving down a road, enjoying a view, or exploring with my fingers.)
curvy - (of a woman's body) having a large bosom and pleasing curves; "a curvy woman in a tight dress"
Synonyms - bosomy, busty, buxom, curvaceous, full-bosomed, well-endowed, stacked, voluptuous
shapely - having a well-proportioned and pleasing shape
Something characterized by such a line or surface, especially a rounded line or contour of the human body.

 

[drew4u4fun]

Not a negative term, definitely positive.
I as a guy have never thought of it as negative.
I have always used it as a compliment.

 

[jasonmason]

What type of woman do you think of when you hear her described as "curvy"? Or, better yet, what do you mean when you yourself call a woman "curvy"?

I am often described as "curvy" and I know it's meant as a compliment from the men who say it to me. But, I sometimes can't help attaching a negative connotation to the word. Does it imply being overweight?

I do think curvy is used in pop culture now to describe people like Scarlett Johanson (who cannot be more than a US size 2), or Mindy Kaling, or Melissa McCarthy. So, it would seem that the word has morphed into a description of a body type, and not just for an overweight woman?

Thoughts? Men, women, please chime in.

So for me, curvy means that you do not have the figure of a 14 year old boy. I am not into young boys, so I would much rather look at women that look like women. Women that have womanly curves. Now I think that there are various degrees of curvyness. None in my book have any negative connotations.


If you look at some of the classic beauties of all times, such as Marilyn Monroe, they had some really nice womanly curves and looked like women are supposed to. If I recall correctly MM was like a size 10 or 12. She had curves but I don't think anyone would call her fat. Today's size 0 and smaller actresses, in my opinion are just too damned skinny. A case in point, if you look at Sarah Jessica Parker before she lost weight and after she lost all that weight. Before she was skinny but had some curves and looked good. Afterwards she looked like a boy and her face looked like she is strung out on heroin.

I guess my point is in my book curvy=good. And you SS have a damned near perfect body.