Attractive and muscular; large and strong-looking, especially in a masculine way.
From 'hunk' (a large piece or a physically attractive person), possibly derived from Dutch 'honk' meaning 'a corner' or 'a piece.' The suffix '-y' makes it an adjective, becoming popular in the 1980s-90s.
The term 'hunky' spiked in popularity in the 1980s during the fitness boom when magazines celebrated muscular bodies—it's interesting that slang terms for attractiveness tie directly to cultural ideals of what bodies 'should' look like in that era.
Contemporary slang 'hunky' emerged in early 20th century as a descriptor for hypermasculinity tied to physical labor; it reinforces body-focused male stereotypes while rarely having female equivalents with the same cultural weight.
Use 'attractive,' 'strong,' or 'physically fit' to describe people of any gender without reinforcing gendered stereotypes. Avoid reducing individuals to physical appearance.
["attractive","strong","physically fit","capable"]
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