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

However, many annuals can become spindly and produce fewer blooms than expected unless they are pinched back. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 28 May 2026

The pilot episode’s cold open showed Edward’s (now-deceased) wife, Grace (Dee Wallace), being attacked by a mysterious, spindly creature in the middle of the night. —ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026

Behind him is the spindly figure of a man astride a bicycle, standing before skeletal, half-visible trees. —Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026

A bit on the spindly side (6-foot, 170 pounds), Reichel’s problem through his young career has been finding the inside ice. —Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026

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