thinner

¹

[ thin-er ]

noun

1. a volatile liquid, as turpentine, used to dilute paint, varnish, rubber cement, etc., to the desired or proper consistency.
2. a person who adds thinners to paints, varnishes, etc.
3. a person who specializes in weeding plants, pruning shrubbery, thinning fruit, etc.

thinner

²

[ thin-er ]

adjective

1. comparative of thin.

thinner

/ ˈθɪnə /

noun

1. often plural, functioning as singular a solvent, such as turpentine, added to paint or varnish to dilute it, reduce its opacity or viscosity, or increase its penetration into the ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of thinner¹

First recorded in 1825–35; thin + -er ¹

Example Sentences

As a result, there are more votes and thinner margins for the major-party candidates left on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the line separating sports and politics is growing thinner and thinner.

From Los Angeles Times

The point she was trying to make, that people treat you better when you’re thinner, got lost in the click-bait furor that ensued.

From Los Angeles Times

Often, defenses have an edge early in the season — they have a thinner playbook, after all — and it takes a few weeks for offenses to catch up and hit their stride.

From Los Angeles Times

Our tendons become drier, thinner and less elastic; muscles, in general, become smaller.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flat
• flimsy
• meager
• poor
• shallow
• skimpy
• sparse
• thick
• transparent