What Does BBW Mean? Finally, Definition Revealed!

“That’s right, I like my girls BBW.”

Leave it to Drake to make BBW seem more “main stream.”

But not sure what BBW means?

Read on below to find out. 🙂

The BBW Meaning

If you love home and body fragrances, you might immediately think BBW stands for Bath & Body Works, and while it can, that’s certainly not what we’re here to talk about!

If you surf around the Internet, you might find a long list of what some people believe BBW to stand for.

Some think it stands for big boned women while others believe it to mean big black women.

We’re busting down these myths because BBW actually means big beautiful women – that’s the BBW meaning.

In an acronym that probably started off sexual in nature, women have reclaimed the narrative of what it means to be a BBW.

People can use a host of words to fat-shame women, but BBW brings forth the confident, beautiful nature of these women.

So Is BBW Another Word To Describe Plus Size Women?

To be honest, BBW is another word for plus size women, but the phrase “plus size” is missing a key part that stops them from being completely synonymous.

As previously mentioned, plus size is commonly used in the fashion industry to point out women whose body type is above the “average size” of women.

While this focuses on the size of women, it lacks the appreciation for these women. Plus size focuses on the size of women while BBW is a reminder that these women are also beautiful.

It is very easy for overweight women to be fat shamed and considered unattractive when mainstream media often portrays a “beautiful” woman as one who is thin.

BBW is an important acronym that not only mentions that yes, these women are plus size, but YES, these women are beautiful.

Does BBW Stand For The Same Thing As BHM?

If you’re like me, you might read this and wonder what BBW have to do with Black History Month.

The answer is nothing because BHM doesn’t stand for Black History Month in this instance.

BBW was made to create a narrative for plus size women who are aware of their beauty and ready to embrace their confidence.

While women were able to establish this for themselves, it seemed there wasn’t anything to cater to the men that would fall into the “big” category.

From this came BHM – big handsome men. Mirroring the message behind BBW, men don’t have to be ripped, toned, and with a six pack of abs to be considered handsome and attractive.

How BBW Have Reclaimed Their Narrative

Society tends to use words like “fat” and “overweight” to shame BBW, but they’re not having it anymore!

From models to influencers on Instagram and YouTube, you’ll find tons of BBW expressing their love of themselves regardless of whether society approves of their weight.

There are even models who have purposely gained weight because they simply love themselves and the way they look at any number on the scale.

They use words like fat and overweight to describe themselves because they want all their haters to know that those words can’t break them down.

Why BBW Can Now Feel Represented In Society

Do you remember those days when you had to be stick thin to appear on magazine covers?

The same would hold true for TV and films.

Could you even imagine reading about a romantic lead that was plus size? Probably because it wasn’t that long ago!

Now that we’re well into the 21^st century, society has been changing and many BBW can now feel represented.

If you don’t know someone personally, it is much easier to connect with them on a physical level if you share characteristics, and luckily with the way that media is moving, BBW are gaining their own avenue.

The Best BBW Romance Books With Plus Size Female Leads

If you’re a BBW, you’re probably tired of reading books where the female lead is several sizes smaller than you.

While there’s nothing wrong with that, there is a problem when BBW don’t have options other than this.

It’s great to read about people falling in love, but it can easily become discouraging when none of those people happen to look like you.

Thankfully, literature is moving in a direction where big beautiful women are included in the romance genre.

For a few books to add to your reading list, check these out:

Francesca and Weylyn by Jasmine Carter

Available through Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, the story follows a plus size model that went through a lot to gain confidence in her profession.

After meeting an attractive photographer during a work trip, she never could’ve imagined the hot, passionate romance she’d start with him.

With doubts and concerns flying through her mind, find out if Francesca and Weylyn will make it!

Read here.

Chase by Katie Dowe

It always seems like love blossoms at a cozy in.

BBW Glenna runs an inn and it’s a constant hello and goodbye with her guests until Chase Lindstrom walks into her life.

A writer and producer, he’s trying to escape his crazy life and falls into the calm that is Glenna’s inn, Coral Lakes.

The couple starts a whirlwind romance, but personal desires can stop their happily ever after.

Read here.

The Billionaire’s Perfect Match by Erica A Davis

There’s nothing like a billion dollars to get the romance heating up!

When Blake and Lea get together, they’re not each other’s normal type, but what does that matter when your hearts on the line?

Everything seems like sunshine and rainbows, but Blake’s keeping a secret from her.

Find out what a billion dollar bet will do to their relationship!

Read here.

Films That Celebrate And Capture The BBW Meaning

Why wouldn’t you want to watch a movie where you can see BBW in all their confidence and glory?

Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of these films, but these films definitely help get the list started!

Queens like Queen Latifah, Mo’Nique, and Jill Scott help us celebrate all big beautiful black women in the film industry.

Just Wright

I still can’t get over the chemistry that was bursting through the screen between Queen Latifah and Common in Just Wright.

After a professional basketball player injures himself (Common), he hires the services of a physical therapist (Queen Latifah) and sparks fly.

With Pam Grier and Phylicia Rashad as co-stars, I can guarantee that you’ll love this movie!

Phat Girlz

She’s not fat, she’s phat!

Mo’Nique starred in the 2006 film Phat Girlz where she plays a BBW fashion designer who is sick of not being able to find cute clothes to fit her body.

After winning a trip to Palm Springs, she meets the love of her life.

What is a romantic comedy if it doesn’t include the classic ups and downs of relationship?

While establishing her relationship with a sexy man, Mo’Nique’s character also finds her confidence with her fashion line “Thick Madame.”

Why Did I Get Married?

With an ensemble cast that includes Janet Jackson and Tyler Perry, Why Did I Get Married? follows four couples who end up trying to work through their marital issues during a winter vacation.

Jill Scott stars as Sheila, a BBW who is unappreciated by her husband.

While her moments with her husband Mike become impossibly frustrating, we can’t help but swoon over her budding relationship with Troy.

Examples Of 4 Famous Big Beautiful Women In The Media

Queen Latifah

What can I say? I love Queen Latifah!

The queen has always been on a mission of empowering women and it shows in everything she does.

An actress, rapper, producer, and more, she truly is a jack of all trades.

Some of her more recognized work is her song “U.N.I.T.Y.” and her films like Set It Off and Chicago.

Dascha Polanco

Ever since 2012, everyone has loved the color orange.

Dascha Polanco first stepped onto the screen in the Netflix Original Series Orange is the New Black.

Since then, she has expanded her portfolio to include numerous other films and TV shows.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer has won numerous awards throughout her career. An Academy Award winner, British Film Award winner, and Golden Globe award winner are just three of them. When you think of her impressive portfolio, it’s easy to understand why.

Since 1996, Spencer has been acting in some of my personal favorite films and TV shows. These range from Hidden Figures and The Help to Ugly Betty and CSI.

Sherri Shepherd

You’ve seen Sherri Shepherd in films like Beauty Shop alongside Queen Latifah and Precious, but she is known for her TV work.

Shepherd has appeared in Everybody Loves Raymond, The Jamie Foxx Show, and Less Than Perfect.

One of her biggest gigs was as a host on The View from 2007-2014.

What Is BBW – Definition Conclusion

That was a lot of information, right? Let’s recap all we’ve gone over.

You might think BBW means one thing, but it’s important to note that it stands for big beautiful women.

Using this term to describe plus size women is to show that they are more than their size.

BBW should feel beautiful and confident as they are.

BBW use to be an underrepresented part of society and media, but not anymore.

With the way entertainment is moving towards big beautiful leads in films, TV shows, books, and more, it’s only a matter of time before society follows in its place.

When it comes to women and their shapes and sizes, there’s an endless way of describing them.

As a woman, you are either an apple shape or pear shape. There’s the ever-coveted hourglass shape.

For size, the descriptions vary even more. You might be petite or tall. You could be shapely or plus size.

In the world of fashion, plus size can vary from brand to brand.

While you might see some brands begin “plus size” with a size 12, you’ll mostly see that it begins with a size 16.

Women of these sizes might refer to themselves as “plus size” in the fashion world. What do they call themselves outside of it?

You might’ve heard the term BBW floating around, especially if you like “Only” by Nicki Minaj, now you finally know what it means!