Synonyms of lanky

lanky

adjective

ˈlaŋ-kē 

as in gaunt

being tall, thin and usually loose-jointed

the lanky basketball star was great at slam-dunking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gaunt
• skinny
• spindly
• gangling
• rangy
• thin
• gangly
• slender
• bony
• scrawny
• lean
• angular
• lank
• wiry
• rawboned
• spindling
• willowy
• scraggy
• weedy
• boney
• reedy
• slim
• stringy
• spidery
• twiggy
• waspish
• racy
• spare
• spindle-legged
• spindle-shanked

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stocky
• pudgy
• chubby
• stubby
• bulky
• stumpy
• beefy
• heavyset
• sturdy
• stout
• thickset
• chunky
• squat
• weighty
• plump
• rotund
• corpulent
• portly
• overweight
• obese
• fleshy
• tubby
• fat
• full
• round
• gross
• muscle-bound
• roly-poly

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lanky contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lanky are gaunt, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can gaunt be used instead of lanky?

Although the words gaunt and lanky have much in common, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than lanky?

The synonyms lank and lanky are sometimes interchangeable, but lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When would lean be a good substitute for lanky?

The words lean and lanky can be used in similar contexts, but lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When could rawboned be used to replace lanky?

While in some cases nearly identical to lanky, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of lanky?

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

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to lanky?

The meanings of spare and lanky largely overlap; however, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lanky

The lanky midfielder impacted the game by always being in the right place, rarely making mistakes, keeping the game simple with neat, tidy ball recoveries and pinpoint passes through spaces others rarely saw. —Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

The lanky, smooth-skating center has also worked out in previous offseasons with Nathan MacKinnon, another vital member of Colorado’s leadership group who wholeheartedly endorsed Nelson’s arrival and the idea of keeping him. —Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2025

Summer pruning helps remove lanky growth and improve airflow to discourage disease and pests. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2025

Cut back stems that are long and lanky both to improve their appearance and to encourage fresh growth and possibly more flowers. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025