slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər 

1

a

: spare in frame or flesh

especially : gracefully slight

b

: small or narrow in circumference or width in proportion to length or height

2

: limited or inadequate in amount or scope : meager

people of slender means

slenderly adverb

slenderness noun

Synonyms of slender

• thin
• narrow
• skinny

Choose the Right Synonym for slender

thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense.

thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire

a thin soup

slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

Examples of slender in a Sentence

She has a slender figure.

a flower with a slender stem

an animal with a long, slender snout

Recent Examples on the Web

First Dakota Johnson revives the 2010s hipster uniform of ankle boots, a flannel, and slender jeans at the US Open. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Sep. 2026

Or perhaps as a slender volume whose first chapter signals its interest in parenting and dating in a blue collar Yorkshire town cast in a permanent pall of mist. — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 15 Sep. 2026

The model went for a pair of backless black patent leather peep-toe stiletto mules with a glossy finish and a slender high heel. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

The seeds will germinate and begin to grow slender roots and shoots over the next few days. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sclendre, slendre, from Anglo-French esclendre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for slender

• bender
• blender
• fender
• gender
• lender
• mender
• prendre
• render
• sender
• splendor
• tender
• vender

Kids Definition

slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər 

1

: thin entry 1 sense 1, slim

2

: limited or not enough in amount : meager

a slender income

slenderly adverb

slenderness noun