skinny 1 of 2

skinny

2 of 2

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
How to style barrel jeans—one of fall 2025's biggest denim trends, for example—is not necessarily going to be the same as how to wear baggy pants or skinny jeans. Lucía Tejo, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2025 The collection also offers a skinny, kick flare, palazzo and bootcut fits. Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
Like the Oscar winner before him, who went from American Psycho fit to The Machinist skinny by eating 200 calories a day, Butler has taken on a range of parts that push his body to the limits ever since his breakout role in Elvis. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2025 Even if your lime green leopard print skinnies and Obey tees are buried deep in the depths of your closet, stepping back through that threshold might uncover more than your old, tacky but favorite outfits. Alexandra Jane, Essence, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for skinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny
Adjective
  • Such devices must be thin and resilient, capable of working where rigid materials fail.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Long wigs and extensions almost always run on the thinner side by default—an issue hair companies still haven’t really solved.
    Noel Cymone Walker, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • This further shrank the already slender Republican House majority.
    W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Of course, no apple dessert is complete without a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The gown also featured an elegant scoop neckline and a long skirt that nearly touched the floor.
    Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Inflation could feature heavily in midterm elections next year, as the Republican Party looks to defend narrow majorities in the House and Senate.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The meandering layout of Milan predates cars, so expect to get your steps in on the narrow and winding roads.
    Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 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
  • Camellia dieback and canker disease is characterized by sudden wilting and yellowing of the foliage and die-back of branch tips.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
  • That outlet said that Crimestoppers tips and data analysis from Salazar's phone led police to him.
    Peter D'Abrosca, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins is one way to mitigate the risk of heart disease.
    Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Chicken breast is a good source of lean protein.
    Lindsey DeSoto, Health, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • There were also rumors that Harry had already enrolled their son Archie, 6, at his alma mater Eton College.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
  • One wild rumor doing the rounds at today’s show was that this star guest was, in fact, Meryl Streep, masquerading as the real Priestly.
    Luke Leitch, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on skinny

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!