lank

adjective \ ˈlaŋk \

Definition of lank

1 :not well filled out :slender, thin

lank cattle

2 :insufficient in quantity, degree, or extent

3 :hanging straight and limp without spring or curl

—

lankly

adverb

—

lankness

noun

See lank defined for English-language learners

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Examples of lank in a Sentence

a woman with long, lank hair
right after a shower, her lank hair hung down to her shoulders

Origin and Etymology of lank

Middle English, from Old English hlanc; akin to Old High German hlanca loin

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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lank Synonyms

Synonyms

droopy, flaccid, floppy, limp, yielding

Antonyms

inflexible, resilient, rigid, stiff, sturdy, tense

Related Words

flabby, mushy, semisoft, soft, squashy, squishy; delicate, flimsy, insubstantial; elastic, flexible, lax, loose, pliant, relaxed, resilient, springy, stretchy, supple

Near Antonyms

firm, hard, indurated, solid, sound, strong; brittle, crisp; compact, dense, substantial

Synonym Discussion of lank

lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned, scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

- a lean racehorse

spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

- the gymnast's spare figure

lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

- the lank legs of the heron

lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

- a lanky youth, all arms and legs

gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

- a prisoner's gaunt face

rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

- a rawboned farmer

scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

- a scrawny chicken
- skinny street urchins

LANK Defined for English Language Learners

lank

adjective

Definition of lank for English Language Learners

of hair : hanging straight down in an unattractive way

LANK Defined for Kids

lank

adjective \ ˈlaŋk \

Definition of lank for Students

lanker; lankest

1 :not well filled out :thin

lank cattle

2 :hanging straight and limp in an unattractive way

lank hair

Learn More about lank

See words that rhyme with lank Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lank Spanish Central: Translation of lank Nglish: Translation of lank for Spanish speakers

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lank

Definition of lank

lankly

lankness

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Examples of lank in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of lank

lank Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of lank

LANK Defined for English Language Learners

lank

Definition of lank for English Language Learners

LANK Defined for Kids

lank

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