slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər How to pronounce slender (audio)
Synonyms of slendernext
1
a
: spare in frame or flesh
especially : gracefully slight
b
: small or narrow in circumference or width in proportion to length or height
2
: limited or inadequate in amount or scope : meager
people of slender means
slenderly adverb
slenderness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for slender

thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense.

thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire
a thin soup

slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry
a slim chance

slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

Examples of slender in a Sentence

She has a slender figure. a flower with a slender stem an animal with a long, slender snout
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Plus, its slender base fits inside most cupholders and water bottle bags. Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026 So naturally in a state that treats basketball like a religion and the sport’s biggest stars like royalty, nobody casts a bigger shadow in this community now than the slender 6-foot-6, 196-pound, 19-year-old freshman who changed Final Four weekend with one brilliant shining moment Sunday afternoon. Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026 On the evening of April 18, soon after sunset, look low toward the west-northwest for a view of a slender 1½-day old crescent moon, just 4% illuminated. Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2026 Black-footed ferrets are small, slender mustelids. Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for slender

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sclendre, slendre, from Anglo-French esclendre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slender was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slender. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

slender

adjective
slen·​der ˈslen-dər How to pronounce slender (audio)
1
2
: limited or not enough in amount : meager
a slender income
slenderly adverb
slenderness noun

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