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

If confirmed, she will replace Avril Haines, who had been—in contrast to Gabbard’s slim résumé—deputy director of the CIA and deputy national security adviser before President Joe Biden nominated her for the job.

From Slate

A slim science fiction novel that looks at our “precious and precarious” world through the eyes of six astronauts on the International Space Station has won the 2024 Booker Prize.

From Los Angeles Times

The conventional wisdom has it that, thanks to production delays caused by the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes, the pickings are slim this year, which is true provided you adhere to a narrow parameter of what defines a movie or performance being “Oscar-worthy.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is often a race won by slim margins.

From Los Angeles Times

As Trump takes office, Republicans have control of the Senate and could still take the House, albeit by a slim margin.

From BBC