skinny 1 of 2

adjective

ˈski-nē How to pronounce skinny (audio)
Definition of skinnynext
1
as in thin
being of less than usual width the tree swing was supported only by a couple of skinny branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in slender
having a noticeably small amount of body fat her grandmother was always insisting that she was too skinny and never tired of trying to force more food on her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skinny

2 of 2

noun

slang
as in scoop
information not generally available to the public a TV show that offers all the skinny on Tinseltown and the stars that light it up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective skinny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of skinny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than skinny?

The meanings of gaunt and skinny largely overlap; however, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of skinny?

While the synonyms lank and skinny are close in meaning, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

Where would lanky be a reasonable alternative to skinny?

In some situations, the words lanky and skinny are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can lean be used instead of skinny?

While in some cases nearly identical to skinny, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than skinny?

The synonyms rawboned and skinny are sometimes interchangeable, but rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When could spare be used to replace skinny?

The words spare and skinny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of skinny
Adjective
Then, in the middle of a fierce snowstorm, a skinny little girl and her dog show up at the resort. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026 The suspect was described as a man standing about 5 feet 6 or 5 feet 7 inches tall with a skinny build and short brown curly hair. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
Noun
There are big boys throwing their weight around, and there are wild skinnies with flying arms and spinning back-kicks, chopping out their emergency version of personal space. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025 The only way to really make a plan 'skinny' is to charge high deductibles, which many plans on the exchange already do. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny
  1. thin
  2. slender
  3. scoop
  4. narrow
  5. bony
  6. tip
  7. lean
  8. rumor
Adjective
  • Without reliably cold temperatures, snow is wetter and thinner, conditions are rainier — and for athletes that can be dangerous.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • And the attorneys who are assigned are often spread thin and unable to provide quality representation, let alone peer support.
    — Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • These ingredients were ground and washed by hand, stored in ornate vessels and applied with slender sticks—often as part of an intimate, almost ceremonial process passed down through generations of women.
    — Amelia Dhuga, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Korinek is youthful and slender, with delicate wire-frame glasses and a faintly red beard.
    — Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of slender
Noun
  • At Brain Freeze Ice Cream Parlor, scoops were still going out the door — with at least one upside.
    — Eva Andersen, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Don’t forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of your serving!
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of scoop
Adjective
  • Such a narrow margin means only a handful of disgruntled GOP members are needed to deal a defeat to their party leadership.
    — Daniel C. Vock, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • On that day, the moon will completely cover the sun for several minutes along a narrow path of totality that sweeps across Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of narrow
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    — Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Definition of bony
Noun
  • Investigators are buried in leads The influx of tips generated in the case – further fueled by the release this week of footage captured by Guthrie’s doorbell camera – is both good and bad for law enforcement.
    — Elizabeth Hartfield, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
  • For more stylish ways to hide clutter, check out our favorite finds below, with everything from storage ottomans to bathroom jars for Q-tips and cotton balls, handwoven baskets, cabinets, and more.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Definition of tip
Adjective
  • Garten's recipe calls for 81% lean ground chuck, which keeps the dish from being too fatty.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Bélanger notes that most midlife women benefit from aiming for about 25 to 35 grams of protein per meal, and choosing meals in that range consistently helps support lean mass and metabolic health.
    — Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of lean
Noun
  • On Wednesday morning, amid rumors swirling online about who could be involved, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators still had not identified a suspect or person of interest.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Powell said being mentioned in trade rumors is almost a badge of honor, indicating that you’re valued.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of rumor

Browse Nearby Words

skinning
skinny
skins
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Cite this Entry

“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on skinny

Nglish: Translation of skinny for Spanish Speakers

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