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skinny

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noun

slang
as in scoop
information not generally available to the public a TV show that offers all the skinny on Tinseltown and the stars that light it up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective skinny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of skinny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than skinny?

The meanings of gaunt and skinny largely overlap; however, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of skinny?

While the synonyms lank and skinny are close in meaning, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

Where would lanky be a reasonable alternative to skinny?

In some situations, the words lanky and skinny are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can lean be used instead of skinny?

While in some cases nearly identical to skinny, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than skinny?

The synonyms rawboned and skinny are sometimes interchangeable, but rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When could spare be used to replace skinny?

The words spare and skinny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skinny
Adjective
His own style, rooted in his Southern California upbringing during the pop-punk Blink-182 era, reflects that mindset—with its affinity for skinny jeans, Vans, and side parts. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 Paired with a matching green tweed bomber jacket, brown Aran knit and her signature skinny jeans, the royal was clearly in full country mode—not unlike when she was photographed near her home in Norfolk for the cover for British Vogue back in 2016. Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
Stay tuned for Deadline’s Q&A with Blue Bloods EP Kevin Wade for the BTS skinny on the series finale. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2024 The constant diet and exercise failures were frustrating, especially as a brown girl who was told that skinny is beautiful. Syeda Saad, refinery29.com, 25 Sep. 2024 See All Example Sentences for skinny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny
Adjective
  • The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Ibrahim had black hair and looked thin from malnutrition.
    Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The three super skinny pen tips can go from creating impossibly slender, seemingly real brow strokes to a cluster of freckles across the cheeks much like a stamp.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But Cummings prefers to mail the slender tubes back to Crown Bees, which will care for them over the winter.
    Martha Ann Overland, NPR, 6 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • After some sun and saltwater, head to Le Glacier de la Corniche near Prophet’s Beach for a scoop of yuzu sorbet.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 17 Apr. 2025
  • From playing Crazy Eights with A$AP Rocky at Soho House to previewing new music in Pharrell’s multi-use studio and everything that was left on the cutting room floor, get the inside scoop right here!
    Chelsea Daniel, Vogue, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • On Saturday, the narrow field caused both teams to adapt to tighter spaces and quicker play.
    Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • In February, Trump had a narrow net approval rating of plus 0.6 points.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Lift your hips off the ground and place a block underneath your sacrum, the widest, boniest part of your pelvis.
    Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
  • Differences in Adult Bones That being said, some adults are bonier than others.
    Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2023
Noun
  • And in 1981, a tip from an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer serving in the Los Angeles County Health Department led to the first description of a new disease that would become the global epidemic of HIV-AIDS.
    Casey Luc, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • After the attack, authorities received a tip from Balmer’s ex partner.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Americans are advised to eat more fruits and vegetables, include a variety of protein sources—seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, legumes, soy products, and unsalted nuts/seeds—and opt for protein sources lower in solid fats and calories.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Coreopsis verticillata Sun Exposure: Full sun Soil Type: Dry to medium, well-draining, lean Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0) USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 With airy foliage and sunny daisy-like blooms, threadleaf coreopsis may look delicate but this native perennial is one tough plant.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Steiner's corroboration of this long-standing rumor has reignited the debate surrounding the true cause of Hogan's injury.
    David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
  • Scroll below for more of Us Weekly’s top stories: More than a year after sparking dating rumors, Tori Spelling stepped out with businessman Ryan Cramer at a red carpet premiere.
    Meredith Nardino, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.

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