Girth — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈgərth/

Meaning & Definition of Girth

Girth (noun)

  1. a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back
  2. a measure around a body
  3. size, dimensions

Girth (verb)

  1. encircle
  2. to bind or fasten with a band or strap
  3. to measure around the body of something

Girth (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the distance around a round body

    "a fallen tree with a girth of some 26 feet making it wide enough for a full-grown man to walk through"

    similar: circumference
    related: ambit, circuit, compass, waistline, equator, diameter, radius, perimeter, periphery

Girth (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to encircle or bind with or as if with a belt

    "you'll need to make sure you girth the saddle tightly or you'll fall off the horse"

    similar: band, begird, belt, engird (archaic), engirdle, enwind, gird, girdle, girt, wrap
    related: tie up, truss, circle, enwreathe, loop, wind, wreathe, bandage, enswathe, swathe, chain, cord, enchain, lash, rope, shackle, tape, wire
    opposite: ungird, unwrap
    near: unbind, unlash, unshackle, untie, unwind

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Girth

The most common words with a similar meaning to Girth:

Archaic: engird
circumference, band, begird, belt, engirdle, enwind, gird, girdle, girt, wrap

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Girth

Words with the opposite meaning of Girth:

ungird, unwrap

Related Words for Girth

ambit, circuit, compass, waistline, equator, diameter, radius, perimeter, periphery, tie up, truss, circle, enwreathe, loop, wind, wreathe, bandage, enswathe, swathe, chain, cord, enchain, lash, rope, shackle, tape, wire

Near Antonyms of Girth

unbind, unlash, unshackle, untie, unwind

Word Forms of Girth

Inflections: girthed, girthing, girths

Origin & Etymology of Girth

Middle English gerth, girth "belt securing a horse's saddle, hoop around a barrel or tub," borrowed from Old Norse *gerðu-, base of gjǫrð "belt, girth," going back to Germanic *gerđō (whence also Middle Dutch darmgherde "girth," Gothic gairda "belt"), from an e-grade derivative of the root seen in *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" gird:1

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Girth

What does "Girth" mean?

"Girth" means a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a band or strap that encircles the body of an animal to fasten something (such as a saddle) on its back. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Girth"?

Other words for "Girth" include circumference, band, begird, belt, engird, engirdle, enwind and gird. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Girth" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Girth"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Girth". Common alternatives include circumference, band, begird, belt, engird, engirdle, enwind, gird, girdle and girt.

What is the opposite of "Girth"?

Antonyms of "Girth" include ungird and unwrap. Near antonyms include unbind, unlash, unshackle and untie.

How do you use "Girth" in a sentence?

Examples of "Girth" in a sentence: "a fallen tree with a girth of some 26 feet making it wide enough for a full-grown man to walk through"; "you'll need to make sure you girth the saddle tightly or you'll fall off the horse".

Is "Girth" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Girth" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Girth"?

"Girth" is pronounced /ˈgərth/.

What is the origin of the word "Girth"?

"Girth" comes from Middle English gerth, girth "belt securing a horse's saddle, hoop around a barrel or tub," borrowed from Old Norse *gerðu-, base of gjǫrð "belt, girth," going back to Germanic *gerđō (whence also Middle Dutch darmgherde "girth," Gothic gairda "belt"), from an e-grade derivative of the root seen in *gurđjan- "to encircle with a belt" gird:1. First known use: 13th century.