slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər 

1

a

: spare in frame or flesh

especially : gracefully slight

b

: small or narrow in circumference or width in proportion to length or height

2

: limited or inadequate in amount or scope : meager

people of slender means

slenderly adverb

slenderness noun

Synonyms

• thin
• narrow
• skinny

Choose the Right Synonym for slender

thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense.

thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire

a thin soup

slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

Examples of slender in a Sentence

She has a slender figure.

a flower with a slender stem

an animal with a long, slender snout

Recent Examples on the Web

The pointed-toe heels featured an oversized bow at the vamp, a slender cross-strap and an 85 mm heel capped with the brand’s antique brass-effect VLogo. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2025

Shepherd’s Purse A low-growing annual weed with leaves that resemble dandelion foliage, shepherd’s purse germinates in fall and then sends up a slender flower stalk in spring. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025

Make a pit stop at the Grace’s High Falls Overlook to see the slender 133-foot water- fall that sits just across the ravine. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025

Ostrich dinosaurs walked on two long, slender hind legs and had a long neck with a small head, similar to modern ostriches, experts said. —Lauren Liebhaber september 22, Miami Herald, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sclendre, slendre, from Anglo-French esclendre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for slender

• bender
• blender
• fender
• gender
• lender
• mender
• prendre
• render
• sender
• splendor
• tender
• vender

Kids Definition

slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər 

1

: thin entry 1 sense 1, slim

2

: limited or not enough in amount : meager

a slender income

slenderly adverb

slenderness noun