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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
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
  • 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.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Batteries without the filter lost power quickly, while batteries with the atom-thin filter retained almost all their capacity for more than 150 charge-discharge cycles.
    Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Chives Use these slender green leaves well into football season with a fall planting.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025
  • 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
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
  • The same bill has tax breaks for overtime, tips, and Social Security income, which mirror recent changes at the federal level and were pushed for by Hall.
    Paul Egan, Freep.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Rainy weather driving tips Switch on headlights - Even during daylight hours, using headlights can enhance visibility and signal your presence to other drivers.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 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
  • By 2009, Ina Garten's Engagement Roast Chicken entered the chat, and rumor has it that a similar dish may have inspired Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to finally shift from partners to fiancés.
    Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2025
  • And then online there was this rumor that started that 'Sally' was about Jake Shane.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.

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