Hoglike

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Having qualities similar to a hog, especially regarding physical appearance or behavior, typically signifying clumsiness or a lack of sophistication
2. Displaying characteristics that evoke the nature of a hog, often associated with a sturdy build or distinct habits that reflect roughness
3. Resembling a swine in physical traits or demeanor, often implying a sense of bulkiness or unrefined conduct

Etymology: "Hoglike" is a plain compound: "hog" joined to the suffix "-like," which means "having the form or character of." The suffix itself is an old English formation, so the word needs no outside source to explain it. Its sense follows directly from the parts, which is why it describes both physical bulk and coarse behavior in the way "hog" does on its own. Because the construction is transparent, the most useful thing to note is how the base word carries the connotation. "Hog" has long been applied to people who eat greedily or take more than their share, so "hoglike" inherits that sense of excess alongside the literal image of a pig. The word therefore reads as an insult about manners as much as about appearance.

Synonyms: swine-like, pig-like, porcine, graceless, clumsy

Antonyms: graceful, elegant, refined, nimble, agile