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

The morning drive was quiet and scenic through hills dotted with creosote bushes, spiky cacti and spindly ocotillo plants leading up to Safford, the hometown of a good friend who got the hell out of there. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

Gibbons may be known for swinging by their long, spindly arms, but when the mood strikes, these apes turn into dance-happy twinkletoes, according to a preprint posted online last month that’s scheduled to be published in Primates. —Phie Jacobs, science.org, 17 Sep. 2024

The spindly vines and shaggy leaves of an overflowing vegetable garden? —Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024

In the images, my retinas were smoggy yellow orbs, threaded with red veins like the spindly branches of dead trees. —Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

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