skinny

[skin-ee]

adjective

skinnier, skinniest 

1. very lean or thin; emaciated.

   a skinny little kitten.

   Synonyms: scrawny, gaunt, lank

2. of or like skin.

3. unusually low or reduced; meager; minimal.

   skinny profits.

4. (of an object) narrow or slender.

   skinny noodles.

5. (of garments, especially pants) narrow and very tight-fitting.

   skinny jeans; a skinny tank top.

noun

1. Slang.

   1. accurate information; data; facts.

   2. news, especially if confidential; gossip.

      Here's the skinny on the latest Hollywood scandal.

skinny

/ ˈskɪnɪ /

adjective

1. lacking in flesh; thin

2. consisting of or resembling skin

Other Word Forms

• skinniness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of skinny¹

First recorded in 1565–75; skin + -y ¹; skinny def. 6 is unclearly derived and perhaps a distinct word

Example Sentences

His most vivid memory was the time a guard in El Centro gave him extra food because he thought my dad was a bit too skinny.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He had been a young man of 20 when he left home, skinny and full of ambition.

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In some stores you were able to order skinny caramel lattes, get your hair and nails done, and maybe even get a piercing or two if your mum wasn't watching.

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The banning of high street fashion adverts which featured models who looked "unhealthily thin" has led industry experts to warn of a return to the super skinny trend.

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Earlier this year, fellow retailer Next also had an advert for blue skinny jeans banned.

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Related Words

• angular 
• bony 
• gaunt 
• lanky 
• scrawny 
• slender