scrawny

[ skraw-nee ]

adjective

, scrawn·i·er, scrawn·i·est.

1. excessively thin; lean; scraggy:

   a long, scrawny neck.

   Synonyms: emaciated, gaunt

   Antonyms: plump, fleshy

scrawny

/ ˈskrɔːnɪ /

adjective

1. very thin and bony; scraggy
2. meagre or stunted

   scrawny vegetation

Derived Forms

• ˈscrawnily, adverb
• ˈscrawniness, noun

Other Words From

• scrawni·ly adverb
• scrawni·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrawny¹

1825–35, Americanism; variant of dial. scranny < Norwegian skran lean + -y ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of scrawny¹

C19: variant of dialect scranny; see scrannel

Example Sentences

More than two years later, video showed the scrawny teen calling out for his mother as five officers piled onto him.

From Los Angeles Times

An explanation for the condition came near the end of World War II, when René Spitz, an Austrian psychoanalyst, observed that infants in a Mexican orphanage tended to be listless, scrawny and slow to develop.

From New York Times

Was it open wide enough for a scrawny seven-year-old to fit through?

From Literature

Outweighed by more than 30 pounds, the scrawny, gritty Harrelson got the worst of it.

From Seattle Times

So at first, scrawny, eccentric Dante is just the nice, colorfully attired classmate who teaches Ari how to swim at the community pool, in between laughs, popsicles and teasing conversations about how Mexican they feel.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bony
• lanky
• skinny