Adjective

(er)

(usually, of a man) Large, well-built, and muscular.

He's a big, burly rugby player who works as a landscape gardener.

*

She was frankly disappointed. For some reason she had thought to discover a burglar of one or another accepted type—either a dashing cracksman in full-blown evening dress, lithe, polished, pantherish, or a common yegg, a red-eyed, unshaven burly brute in the rags and tatters of a tramp.

(slang) Originating from the east end of London, England. An expressive term to mean something is good, awesome, amazing, unbelievable. e.g That goal was burly, or Räikkönen is a burly Formula 1 driver.

(slang) Originating from surfer culture and/or Southern California. An expressive term to mean something is of large magnitude, either good or bad, and sometimes both.

That wave was burly ! (i.e. large, dangerous and difficult to ride)

This hike is going to be burly , but worth it because there is good body surfing at that beach.

Adjective

(er)

Capable of producing great physical force.

Capable of withstanding great physical force.

fast moving water, wind, etc, which has a lot of power.

Determined; unyielding.

* , chapter=10

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong , like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}

Highly stimulating to the senses.

Having an offensive or intense odor or flavor.

Having a high concentration of an essential or active ingredient.

(specifically) Having a high alcoholic content.

(grammar) Inflecting in a different manner than the one called weak, such as Germanic verbs which change vowels.

(military) Not easily subdued or taken.

(slang, US) Impressive, good.

Having a specified number of people or units.

(of a disease or symptom) (l) (very bad or intense)

* 2005 , Andrew Gaeddert, Healing Immune Disorders: Natural Defense-Building Solutions , North Atlantic Books, page 221:

Physicians may diagnosis influenza by a throat culture or blood test, which may be important if you have a particularly strong flu, if your doctor suspects pneumonia or a bacterial infection.

(mathematics, logic) Having a wide range of logical consequences; widely applicable. (Often contrasted with a statement which it implies.)