leggy

American  

[leg-ee] / ˈlɛg i /

adjective

leggier, leggiest

1. having awkwardly long legs.

2. having long, attractively shaped legs.

   a group of tanned, leggy swimmers.

3. of, relating to, or characterized by showing the legs.

   a leggy stage show.

4. (of plants) long and thin; spindly.

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leggy British  

/ ˈlɛɡɪ /

adjective

1. having unusually long legs

2. (of a woman) having long and shapely legs

3. (of a plant) having an unusually long and weak stem

4. (esp of a sportsperson) sluggish or fatigued; having tired legs

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Other Word Forms

• legginess
  noun

Etymology

Origin of leggy

First recorded in 1780–90; leg + -y ¹

Explanation

When a person is described as leggy, it means they have very long legs. If your little sister is extremely tall and leggy for her age, you might suggest that she try out for the school basketball team. When a lovely woman is described as leggy, it's usually in an admiring way: "I felt like New York was full of leggy models that weekend." If you describe a plant as leggy, it's more likely to be critical, meaning something closer to "scrawny" or "spindly." When the daisies in your garden get too leggy, you'll have to stake them or even prune them so they can grow back fuller and healthier.

Example Sentences

Leggy and long-haired, they marched down a wide runway in sunglasses, hands thrust in front pockets, as spotlights blinked.

From Reuters • Jun. 26, 2022

Leggy, tailored furnishings are airier compared with anchored, heavier pieces.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 30, 2020

I always enjoyed "Leggy Blonde", which Rhys Darby sings in the first series.

From The Guardian • Aug. 28, 2010

Leggy Jessie Matthews used to sing and high kick reel after reel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Parson Leggy declared roundly that his like had not been seen since the days of Rex son of Rally.

From Bob, Son of Battle by Ollivant, Alfred

Related Words

• awkward
• bony
• gawky
• lanky
• rangy
• skinny
• spindly
• tall