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Synonyms

lanky

American  
[lang-kee] / ˈlæŋ ki /

adjective

lankier, lankiest

  1. ungracefully thin and rawboned; bony; gaunt.

    a very tall and lanky man.
lanky British  
/ ˈlæŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. tall, thin, and loose-jointed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • lankily adverb
  • lankiness noun

Etymology

Origin of lanky

First recorded in 1660–70; lank + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was dismissed by the lanky spinner and afterwards appeared to question the legitimacy of his bowling action.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

But he had to work hard to tame the lanky 24-year-old, who showed his potential with a maiden ATP title last year.

From Barron's • Jan. 18, 2026

At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Michael was still growing into his lanky frame and taking classes at Ohio State.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

The imposingly lanky, gracefully handsome Elordi, born in Australia, has risen in profile over the last few years, thanks to roles in the hit series “Euphoria” and the psychosexual class-climbing thriller “Saltburn.”

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

He played an athletic, artful form of basketball, his lanky body moving quickly, showing power I hadn’t before noticed.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.