SKINNY Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

skinny 1 of 2

adjective

ˈski-nē

Definition of skinny next

as in thin

being of less than usual width the tree swing was supported only by a couple of skinny branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat her grandmother was always insisting that she was too skinny and never tired of trying to force more food on her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skinny

2 of 2

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

Examples 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

Wear them with skinny jeans and channel the Beatles, or with tights and a short skirt for a more feminine, mod look. —

Kristen Philipkoski, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 As previously reported by Newsweek, many millennials have clung to skinny jeans, while Gen Z fashionistas embraced looser fits. —

Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

Noun

Plus the Slip skinny scrunchies have no expiration date. —

Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2024 Drake Maye 3 New England North Carolina (2021-23) 2024 skinny: Could use a redshirt year behind Jacoby Brissett, but has major talent. —

Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for skinny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny

Adjective

The faux leather exterior is sleek and practical for this time of year, while the inside has a thin fleece lining to keep you warm.

Nicol Natale, People.com, 13 Jan. 2025
From pencil thin brows to cool-toned smokey eyes, all the cool girls are channeling that iconic vintage supermodel aesthetic.

Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 13 Jan. 2025