slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər 

1

a

: spare in frame or flesh

especially : gracefully slight

b

: small or narrow in circumference or width in proportion to length or height

2

: limited or inadequate in amount or scope : meager

people of slender means

slenderly adverb

slenderness noun

Synonyms

• fine
• hairline
• narrow
• needlelike
• paper-thin
• skinny
• slim
• slim-jim
• thin
• ultrathin

Choose the Right Synonym for slender

thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense.

thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.

thin wire

a thin soup

slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion.

the slender legs of a Sheraton chair

slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness.

a slim volume of poetry

a slim chance

slight implies smallness as well as thinness.

a slight build

tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness.

a tenuous thread

Examples of slender in a Sentence

She has a slender figure.

a flower with a slender stem

an animal with a long, slender snout

Recent Examples on the Web

But with its slender lines and unique spiral magazine tube, the 14 will distinguish you from the 7600-toting hordes, as will the near identical 141 Gamemaster. —Dave Hurteau, Field & Stream, 4 July 2024

The New York Democrat may be the only thing standing between Biden and a flood of panicked House Democrats — few of whom have so far gone on the record — demanding the president exit the race, hopefully saving their chances of regaining the slender House majority in the process. —Jacqueline Alemany, Washington Post, 4 July 2024

Where the reefs poked up high enough, wind and waves would toss up sand and rubble, forming slender islets. —Raymond Zhong, New York Times, 26 June 2024

When you’re done, carrots that develop wide, blocky roots should be spaced about 3 inches apart, while varieties with more slender roots do just fine with 2-inch spacing. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sclendre, slendre, from Anglo-French esclendre

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

slender

adjective

slen·​der ˈslen-dər 

1

: thin entry 1 sense 1, slim

2

: limited or not enough in amount : meager

a slender income

slenderly adverb

slenderness noun