Synonyms of skinny

skinny

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

• scoop
• tip
• rumor
• dope
• book
• information
• poop
• inside
• news
• lowdown
• 411
• story
• dish
• gossip
• word
• dirt
• hint
• pointer
• intelligence
• tidings

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ancient history
• open secret

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

Recent Examples of skinny

Who are the betting favorites heading into this weekend and what’s the latest skinny? —Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Live kickoff concert, where Bad Bunny paired the distressed skinnies with a Ricky Martin T-shirt, oversized headphones and black sunglasses. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 22 Dec. 2025

There are big boys throwing their weight around, and there are wild skinnies with flying arms and spinning back-kicks, chopping out their emergency version of personal space. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025

Of course, the classic silhouettes are all covered here—from roomy wide-legs to stovepipes and skinnies, polished pleat-fronts that are ideal for office outfitting, and barrel-leg options with that distinct, fashion-forward sensibility. —Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025