slim

[slim]

adjective

slimmer, slimmest 

1. slender, as in girth or form; slight in build or structure.

   Synonyms: thin
   Antonyms: fat

2. poor or inferior.

   a slim chance; a slim excuse.

3. small or inconsiderable; meager; scanty.

   a slim income.

   Synonyms: paltry, trivial, trifling, insignificant
   Antonyms: abundant, considerable

4. sized for the thinner than average person.

verb (used with object)

slimmed, slimming 

1. to make slim.

verb (used without object)

slimmed, slimming 

1. to become slim.

2. Chiefly British.,  to try to become more slender, especially by dieting.

noun

1. a garment size meant for a thin person.

verb phrase

1. slim down

   1. to lose weight, especially intentionally.

   2. (of a business) to reduce operating expenses; economize.

slim

¹

/ slɪm /

adjective

1. small in width relative to height or length

2. small in amount or quality

   slim chances of success

verb

1. to make or become slim, esp by diets and exercise

2. to reduce or decrease or cause to be reduced or decreased

Slim

²

/ slɪm /

noun

1. the E African name for AIDS

Slim

³

/ slɪm /

noun

1. William Joseph , 1st Viscount. 1891–1970, British field marshal, who commanded (1943–45) the 14th Army in the reconquest of Burma (now called Myanmar) from the Japanese; governor general of Australia (1953–60)

Other Word Forms

• slimly adverb
• slimness noun
• unslim adjective
• unslimly adverb
• unslimness noun
• unslimmed adjective
• slimmer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of slim¹

1650–60; < Dutch slim sly, (earlier) crooked (cognate with German schlimm bad, (earlier) crooked)

Word History and Origins

Origin of slim¹

C17: from Dutch: crafty, from Middle Dutch slimp slanting; compare Old High German slimbi obliquity

Origin of slim²

from its wasting effects

Synonym Study

See slender.

Example Sentences

Former world number one Novak Djokovic, who has slimmed down his schedule in recent years to protect his body, has called on players to be more united, external in forcing change.

Read more on BBC

In an era of brazen, bad-faith redistricting efforts, the prospects of winning a fair election as a newly gerrymandered candidate are slim, especially for Democrats.

Read more on Salon

Doncic, who slimmed down this offseason, had been playing at a peak level then, but now he and the Lakers want to ease him back into things with the hopes of avoiding injuries.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Republican Party holds the House by such a slim margin that any changes to state maps could have an effect on the balance of power in Washington.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Danyah is trying hard not to take the number of views too personally and though the rewards have been slim, the hope of success is enough to keep her going beyond the experiment.

Read more on BBC