spindly

adjective

spin·​dly ˈspin(d)-lē 

ˈspin-dᵊl-ē

spindlier; spindliest

1

: of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness

spindly legs

2

: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure

a spindly tower

Synonyms

• gangling
• gangly
• lanky
• rangy
• spindling

Examples of spindly in a Sentence

spindly, underfed dogs roamed the poverty-stricken village

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s because the twisty, spindly room centerpiece with large, pointy, deep green leaves is no ordinary tree. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2025

In a black-and-white photo that serves as Cyrus’ new profile picture on Instagram, the backlit singer poses in a spindly, avant-garde headpiece while staring directly at the camera — though her face is entirely blacked out by the high contrast of the artwork. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2025

From one specimen’s spindly leg dangled a handwritten tag bearing the year of its death: 1917. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025

Also prune off low-hanging branches and weak, spindly growth. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spindly

adjective

spin·​dly ˈspin-(d)lē 

-dᵊl-ē

spindlier; spindliest

: of a tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness

spindly legs