skinny 1 of 2

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
His own style, rooted in his Southern California upbringing during the pop-punk Blink-182 era, reflects that mindset—with its affinity for skinny jeans, Vans, and side parts. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 Paired with a matching green tweed bomber jacket, brown Aran knit and her signature skinny jeans, the royal was clearly in full country mode—not unlike when she was photographed near her home in Norfolk for the cover for British Vogue back in 2016. Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
Stay tuned for Deadline’s Q&A with Blue Bloods EP Kevin Wade for the BTS skinny on the series finale. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 The constant diet and exercise failures were frustrating, especially as a brown girl who was told that skinny is beautiful. Syeda Saad, refinery29.com, 25 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for skinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike competitors like Neuralink, which implants a chip into the brain tissue, the company’s thin, flat device is instead placed under the skull directly on top of the brain.
    Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The borer is essentially a narrow drill that extracts a slender core from a living tree without killing it.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • For his slender frame (6-foot-1, 181 pounds), his timed speed is below average and could force teams to look elsewhere.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After some sun and saltwater, head to Le Glacier de la Corniche near Prophet’s Beach for a scoop of yuzu sorbet.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 17 Apr. 2025
  • From playing Crazy Eights with A$AP Rocky at Soho House to previewing new music in Pharrell’s multi-use studio and everything that was left on the cutting room floor, get the inside scoop right here!
    Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • In February, Trump had a narrow net approval rating of plus 0.6 points.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
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
Noun
  • And while The First Shadow features a younger version of his Stranger Things character, Modine revealed that Alex Breaux, the actor who plays Dr. Brenner in the play, did not reach out to him for tips or guidance.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • Timely tax tips and the latest news delivered to your inbox weekly Editorial StandardsForbes Accolades Kelly Phillips Erb is a Philadelphia-area Forbes senior writer who covers tax, law, and financial crimes.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • With between-the-tackles runner Ray Davis on the roster for the next three seasons, a pass-catching presence would be the likely lean if the Bills do take one.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025
  • The modern paleo diet includes foods such fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Star Ja Morant Exits Thunder Game with Concerning Injury For more NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The Hamden County District Attorney in Massachusetts on Thursday addressed rumors of a New England serial killer after authorities discovered a woman's body off a bike path in Springfield on Tuesday.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on skinny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!