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
Caught in an undignified situation, humiliated by a hot, skinnier love interest, Jessica was the latest incarnation of the funny fat lady (who is never actually that fat, merely representative of the average American woman). —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 16 July 2025 The candidates are running to represent Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, a bright-blue stronghold that includes much of the state's border with Mexico and a skinny slice of Avondale and Tolleson. —Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 15 July 2025
Noun
The 14-time Grammy Award winning pop star attended the Kansas City Chiefs vs. the Las Vegas Raiders game last month in black skinnies, reigniting online debates about the fit’s status in fashion. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Jan. 2025 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 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
  • Cover it with a thin layer of topsoil or compost to cover the seeds.
    — Cody Godwin, USA Today, 24 July 2025
  • The market is thin in run-producing bats, and O'Hearn not only fills that need but is versatile enough to play the corner outfield spots as well.
    — Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • What’s Next in The Night Sky Just two mornings later, on July 23, a very slender waning crescent moon will rise near Jupiter in deep twilight, low in the east-northeast just before sunrise.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
  • There's just one real road that runs up and down this slender stretch of coast due to Tulum's quick growth, making navigating a breeze (but traffic is nothing less than hectic for much of the day).
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
Definition of slender
Noun
  • Add a scoop of collagen for skin and joint health, along with your favorite sweetener to taste. 10.
    — Jillian Kubala, Health, 22 July 2025
  • Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams: Enjoy a free drizzle of Jeni's new Sundae Fudge Sauce with any scoop shop order on Sunday, July 20. Keebler: There's a chance to win Keebler’s National Ice Cream Day package, which includes a variety of the brand’s ice cream, sugar and waffle cones.
    — Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 21 July 2025
Definition of scoop
Adjective
  • Mona Jones said that was no cakewalk: The bridge over the Salt River didn't exist in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and State Route 87, the Beeline Highway, was just a narrow two-lane road.
    — Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • Greene’s characterization of a ‘narrow audience’ echoes this.
    — Matthew Carey Salyer, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
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
  • Lollapalooza’s website has some safety tips listed — like wearing earplugs to protect hearing and taking breaks from being in the sun — but does not have information on crowd safety procedures.
    — Kate Perez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
  • For brides on a budget, Hoffman's top tip is to go second-hand—not just for the dress, but for accessories and décor too.
    — Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025
Definition of tip
Adjective
  • The goal is not to let your body become desensitized or lean into routine/habit.
    — Dominique Fluker, Essence, 31 July 2025
  • Central Florida school districts are preparing for a leaner financial year, driven by declining enrollment, when classes start next month.
    — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2025
Definition of lean
Noun
  • The two first sparked romance rumors when they were photographed flying back to Los Angeles together from Cancún.
    — Sharareh Drury, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • To further fuel breakup allegations, in May, rumors surfaced that the Baton Rouge, Louisiana native stepped out on her soon-to-be ex-husband with her trainer.
    — Essence, Essence, 31 July 2025
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 7 Aug. 2025.

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