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

On the morning conference call with the House Democratic caucus Pelosi rejected the notion of a slimmed-down, or “skinny,” bill, such as the $300 billion measure Democrats blocked last week in the Senate.

From Washington Post

The Republican’s “skinny” stimulus package did not include funding for a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks—a proposal that for months Republican and Democratic leaders supported.

From Fortune

A big ECB meeting, jobless claims numbers and a largely meaningless Senate vote on a “skinny” stimulus spending package.

From Fortune

In addition, the Republican’s skinny stimulus does not provide additional funding for state and local governments.

From Fortune

There are over a dozen races worth watching today, but here’s the skinny on the most consequential.

From FiveThirtyEight

In the most recent image posted by her mother, Kristina is wearing a black vest over her skinny shoulders.

From The Daily Beast

The whims of fashionistas have brought us bellbottoms and skinny jeans and everything in between.

From The Daily Beast

Instead, break out a form-fitting garment — think skinny jeans or a curve-hugging dress.

From The Daily Beast

The man with the skinny tie tells me that the comic book is transported in a manila envelope.

From The Daily Beast

Skinny tie tells me that it was found in a storage locker in 2011 and auctioned for $2.1 million.

From The Daily Beast

“Why, to look at her, I think that skinny woman would dare anything,” remarked Amy.

From Project Gutenberg

She was thin, skinny, dark-haired, and possessed of great physical strength in the form of endurance.

From Project Gutenberg

Burke pulled a packet of bills from his pocket, slipped them to Lefty's skinny hand.

From Project Gutenberg

At this the door flew open and a skinny woman appeared, her homespun frock pendent with tow-headed urchins.

From Project Gutenberg

Her back was turned to Nita, her clawlike, skinny hands were diving into the chest of gold.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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