Hale

adj.resilient, energeticliterary

What it means

Strong, healthy, and vigorous, especially despite age or hardship.

Reach for it when praising robust condition when the slightly old-fashioned tone fits

At eighty-seven, Arun remained hale enough to tend the steep orchard.

playful
fit as a fiddle
affectionate idiom suits informal celebration of health
not when The cliché can trivialize disability or a complex medical condition.
everyday
healthy
sound health should be stated in familiar language
not when Healthy is broader and lacks hale's emphasis on visible vigor.
everyday
hearty
solid health and energetic appetite suit friendly praise
not when Hearty can describe food or enthusiasm and may be ambiguous.
warm
vigorous
energy and active strength are the most visible qualities
not when Vigorous activity can occur despite poor health and says less about overall condition.
professional
robust
strong functioning under ordinary demands is evident
not when Robust can describe systems and may sound clinical when praising an older person.
formal
sound
stable underlying condition matters more than liveliness
not when Sound feels technical and can understate an energetic presence.