slender

[ slen-der ]

adjective

, slen·der·er, slen·der·est.

1. having a circumference that is small in proportion to the height or length:

   a slender post.

2. thin or slight; light and graceful:

   slender youths.

   Antonyms: stocky, fat

3. small in size, amount, extent, etc.; meager:

   a slender income.

4. having little value, force, or justification:

   slender prospects.

   Synonyms: trifling, trivial

5. thin or weak, as sound.

   Synonyms: flimsy, delicate, fine, feeble, fragile

slender

/ ˈslɛndə /

adjective

1. of small width relative to length or height
2. (esp of a person's figure) slim and well-formed
3. small or inadequate in amount, size, etc

   slender resources

4. (of hopes, etc) having little foundation; feeble
5. very small

   a slender margin

6. (of a sound) lacking volume
7. phonetics (now only in Irish phonology) relating to or denoting a close front vowel, such as i or e

Derived Forms

• ˈslenderness, noun
• ˈslenderly, adverb

Other Words From

• slender·ly adverb
• slender·ness noun
• un·slender adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slender¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English slendre, sclendre; origin unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of slender¹

C14 slendre, of unknown origin

Synonym Study

Slender, slight, slim imply a tendency toward thinness. As applied to the human body, slender implies a generally attractive and pleasing thinness: slender hands. Slight often adds the idea of frailness to that of thinness: a slight, almost fragile, figure. Slim implies a lithe or delicate thinness: a slim and athletic figure.

Example Sentences

The famous primatologist and conservationist settles into a high-backed chair that dwarfs her slender frame.

From BBC

Having taken the lead in the second minute, Ireland were never behind but, after failure to score in the second half, ended the contest against 14 men clinging on to a slender 22-19 advantage.

From BBC

Her margin was more slender, closer to 10.

From BBC

He’s like Clark Kent with peach fuzz: tall, slender, soft-spoken, favoring khakis and long-sleeved shirts and more earnest than a Peace Corps volunteer.

From Los Angeles Times

With the sides locked at 2-2 after nine innings, Great Britain international Jazz Chisholm Jr led a Yankees rally to give them a slender lead in the top of the 10th.

From BBC

Related Words

• delicate
• fragile
• frail
• lanky
• lithe
• meager
• narrow
• skinny
• slight
• slim
• svelte
• wiry
• wispy