skinny

American  

[skin-ee] / ˈskɪn i /

adjective

skinnier, skinniest

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.

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noun

1. Slang.

   1. accurate information; data; facts.

   2. news, especially if confidential; gossip.

      Here's the skinny on the latest Hollywood scandal.

skinny British  

/ ˈskɪnɪ /

adjective

1. lacking in flesh; thin

2. consisting of or resembling skin

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Other Word Forms

• skinniness noun

Etymology

Origin of skinny

First recorded in 1565–75; skin + -y ¹; skinny def. 6 is unclearly derived and perhaps a distinct word

Example Sentences

There’s a guy with them, skinny but tall, wearing a vest covered in patches, some beadwork, too.

From Literature

England's Ashes coaching staff was too skinny and they got key selection decisions wrong.

From BBC

Glenn handed over a skinny little more-or-less green garter snake, ten or so inches long.

From Literature

Then, his eyes were red from crying and his skinny arms were swimming in the too-big jersey that used to be his dad’s.

From Literature

Not the skinny kind they made for a couple of years, but the fat one.

From Literature

Related Words

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