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

Tail segment: An Arizona bark scorpion's tail segment is thin and elongated, with a slender stinger at the tip. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 18 May 2024

An appreciation for grief’s minor moments coupled with a striking visual language elevate this slender drama. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2024

But that’s only the beginning in a slender meta-textual doodle selected to kick off the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 May 2024

Addax are antelopes that are stocky, short and have slender legs, states the Smithsonian. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Or, for a decidedly quieter, more romantic experience, head to Bean Point Beach, known for its sunset views. more on anna maria island 03 of 10 Gasparilla Island Head to this slender link in the chain of Gulf barrier islands to experience Old Florida charm at its finest. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 6 May 2024

The fact that many of these influencers are beautiful, slender young women does not hurt. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2024

La Cabeza — a glittering stone in the shape of a skull on a slender neck — had been carefully decapitated. —Carina Del Valle Schorske, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2024

The spacious eat-in kitchen has been updated with white Shaker-style cabinets, gray-veined white marble counters, and stainless-steel designer appliances, while the service entrance was converted to a long, slender home office. —Mark David, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 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