slim

[ slim ]

adjective

, slim·mer, slim·mest.

1. slender, as in girth or form; slight in build or structure.

   Synonyms: thin

   Antonyms: fat

2. poor or inferior:

   a slim chance; a slim excuse.

3. small or inconsiderable; meager; scanty:

   a slim income.

   Synonyms: paltry, trivial, trifling, insignificant

   Antonyms: abundant, considerable

4. sized for the thinner than average person.

verb (used with object)

, slimmed, slim·ming.

1. to make slim.

verb (used without object)

, slimmed, slim·ming.

1. to become slim.
2. Chiefly British. to try to become more slender, especially by dieting.

noun

1. a garment size meant for a thin person.

verb phrase

1. 1. to lose weight, especially intentionally.
   2. (of a business) to reduce operating expenses; economize.

slim

¹

/ slɪm /

adjective

1. small in width relative to height or length
2. small in amount or quality

   slim chances of success

verb

1. to make or become slim, esp by diets and exercise
2. to reduce or decrease or cause to be reduced or decreased

Slim

²

/ slɪm /

noun

1. the E African name for AIDS

Slim

³

/ slɪm /

noun

1. SlimWilliam Joseph, 1st Viscount18911970MBritishMILITARY: generalPOLITICS: statesman William Joseph , 1st Viscount. 1891–1970, British field marshal, who commanded (1943–45) the 14th Army in the reconquest of Burma (now called Myanmar) from the Japanese; governor general of Australia (1953–60)

Derived Forms

• ˈslimly, adverb
• ˈslimmer, noun
• ˈslimness, noun

Other Words From

• slimly adverb
• slimness noun
• un·slim adjective
• un·slimly adverb
• un·slimness noun
• un·slimmed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slim¹

1650–60; < Dutch slim sly, (earlier) crooked (cognate with German schlimm bad, (earlier) crooked)

Word History and Origins

Origin of slim¹

C17: from Dutch: crafty, from Middle Dutch slimp slanting; compare Old High German slimbi obliquity

Origin of slim²

from its wasting effects

Synonym Study

See slender.

Example Sentences

So, the odds of Congress passing a new Farm Bill before year’s end remain slim.

From Salon

Supermarkets employ large numbers of people and profit margins are slim.

From BBC

He is an intellectual educated at Oxford University, is never seen without his signature slim, rectangular glasses and has been dubbed "Mr Digital" thanks to his pledge to whip Ghana into a technological heavyweight.

From BBC

“I was just having a wonderful time traveling on the slimmest of funds.”

From New York Times

Although details about the show are slim, Bey is expected to feature some special guests from “Cowboy Carter,” which boasts prominent voices from country music, pop and R&B.

From Los Angeles Times