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skinny

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noun

slang
as in scoop
information not generally available to the public a TV show that offers all the skinny on Tinseltown and the stars that light it up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective skinny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of skinny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than skinny?

The meanings of gaunt and skinny largely overlap; however, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of skinny?

While the synonyms lank and skinny are close in meaning, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

Where would lanky be a reasonable alternative to skinny?

In some situations, the words lanky and skinny are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can lean be used instead of skinny?

While in some cases nearly identical to skinny, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than skinny?

The synonyms rawboned and skinny are sometimes interchangeable, but rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When could spare be used to replace skinny?

The words spare and skinny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skinny
Adjective
Chris Jackson/Getty Images Much like her beloved skinny jeans, Kate’s enduring relationship with polka dots has been rehabilitated on recent runways. Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 8 May 2025 This pair has a gap-proof, high-rise waistband and tummy control, all within the silhouette of a slim-leg, that falls right between a skinny jean and straight-leg. Kristina Rutkowski, Glamour, 7 May 2025
Noun
Stay tuned for Deadline’s Q&A with Blue Bloods EP Kevin Wade for the BTS skinny on the series finale. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 The constant diet and exercise failures were frustrating, especially as a brown girl who was told that skinny is beautiful. Syeda Saad, refinery29.com, 25 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for skinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
  • The new device measures in at 5.8mm, which Samsung claims is its thinnest ever Galaxy S smartphone.
    Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Courtesy of Dyson For such a slender vacuum, Dyson managed to squeeze in a ton of noteworthy features.
    Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 22 May 2025
  • In 2016, the Dodgers sent pitcher Zach Lee to the Pacific Northwest in return for the slender middle infielder.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Noun
  • Served with a cold scoop of ice cream, the 10-minute dessert is perfect for effortless summer entertaining, or a quick-fix summer treat to beat the heat.
    Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • Gather the ingredients for this favorite dish, and enjoy a generous scoop of this delicious and easy casserole.
    Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • During the trial, Amélie testified that Depardieu grabbed her hips in a narrow corridor and started touching her, pointing to her buttocks, hip, and pubic area.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025
  • Sherrill has held a consistent yet narrow lead in recent surveys.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Noun
  • Trump’s legislation, at more than 1,100 pages, would permanently extend his 2017 tax cuts set to expire at the end of this year while introducing new policies like tax exemptions for tips and overtime wages.
    Nik Popli, Time, 22 May 2025
  • Waiters and those who get tips Tips would not be taxed if the bill passes.
    George Petras, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • In Bordeaux, maritime humidity, vintage variation, and a later-ripening climate create a leaner, more structured profile.
    Jessica Dupuy, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • For overall health, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend choosing lean, unprocessed poultry when possible.5 6.
    Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 19 May 2025
Noun
  • An unfortunate consequence of all the rumors and news is that many people are applying for Social Security benefits earlier than previously planned, according to The Wall Street Journal.
    Bob Carlson, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • And, of course, there’s NFL Redzone, which Reali has openly expressed interest in as rumors sizzle about Scott Hanson’s future with the program.
    Sean Neumann, People.com, 20 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

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