spindly

adjective

spin·​dly ˈspin(d)-lē 

ˈspin-dᵊl-ē

spindlier; spindliest

1

: of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness

spindly legs

2

: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure

a spindly tower

Synonyms of spindly

• gaunt
• skinny
• lanky
• thin
• gangling
• bony
• gangly
• slender

Examples of spindly in a Sentence

spindly, underfed dogs roamed the poverty-stricken village

Recent Examples on the Web

The Hektoria Glacier, roughly the size of Philadelphia, is on the Antarctic Peninsula, a spindly chain of mountains sticking off the continent like a thumb pointing toward South America. —Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

Her 2019 look featured spindly trees and orange lighting that helped set the mood. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

The doe’s eyes blinked on either side of a spindly trunk. —Devon O’Neil, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025

The mountains on either side of the water give way to towering canyon walls, spruce and pine thin out, and only stout dwarf willow and spindly alder remain. —Chloe Berge, AFAR Media, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spindly

adjective

spin·​dly ˈspin-(d)lē 

-dᵊl-ē

spindlier; spindliest

: of a tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness

spindly legs