skinny

[ skin-ee ]

adjective

, skin·ni·er, skin·ni·est.

1. very lean or thin; emaciated:

   a skinny little kitten.

   Synonyms: scrawny, gaunt, lank

2. of or like skin.
3. unusually low or reduced; meager; minimal:

   skinny profits.

4. (of an object) narrow or slender:

   skinny noodles.

5. (of garments, especially pants) narrow and very tight-fitting:

   skinny jeans; a skinny tank top.

noun

1. Slang.
   1. accurate information; data; facts.
   2. news, especially if confidential; gossip:

      Here's the skinny on the latest Hollywood scandal.

skinny

/ ˈskɪnɪ /

adjective

1. lacking in flesh; thin
2. consisting of or resembling skin

Derived Forms

• ˈskinniness, noun

Other Words From

• skinni·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skinny¹

First recorded in 1565–75; skin + -y ¹; skinny def 6 is unclearly derived and perhaps a distinct word

Example Sentences

The fashion industry "should be concerned" by a trend back to using more skinny models, the editorial director of British Vogue has said.

From BBC

"We're in this moment where we're seeing the pendulum sort of swing back to skinny being 'in' and often these things are treated like a trend and we don't want them to be."

From BBC

“I want attending this festival to be my permanent job,” said Armesto, who wore a skinny scarf and round glasses.

From Los Angeles Times

The idea is that women should stop obsessing about intense workouts to get skinny and instead take daily mindful walks focusing on gratitude, goals and their self-worth, because those are the things that really make you hot.

From Los Angeles Times

How does a skinny, gay Welsh kid raised in a strict Jehovah’s Witnesses community become a famous Hollywood action movie star with credits on “Clash of the Titans” and the “Fast & Furious” franchise?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• angular
• bony
• gaunt
• lanky
• scrawny
• slender