thinner

¹

[thin-er]

noun

1. a volatile liquid, as turpentine, used to dilute paint, varnish, rubber cement, etc., to the desired or proper consistency.

2. a person who adds thinners to paints, varnishes, etc.

3. a person who specializes in weeding plants, pruning shrubbery, thinning fruit, etc.

thinner

²

[thin-er]

adjective

1. comparative of thin.

thinner

/ ˈθɪnə /

noun

1. (often plural, functioning as singular) a solvent, such as turpentine, added to paint or varnish to dilute it, reduce its opacity or viscosity, or increase its penetration into the ground

Word History and Origins

Origin of thinner¹

First recorded in 1825–35; thin + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The results can affect how long someone stays on blood thinners, and even inform medical care for their kids.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Participants say the air is thinner and the plunge downhill wreaks havoc on your body.

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One US study found that obese men with a bachelor's degree earn 5% less than their thinner colleagues, while those with a graduate degree earn 14% less.

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In white coverall suits and full-face respirators, hazmat workers went property by property sifting through the ashes to dredge up lead-acid batteries, tins of paint thinner and pesticide canisters.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For meat, a classic hard salami and a thinner meat like prosciutto should do.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• delicate 
• fragile 
• gaunt 
• lean 
• meager 
• narrow 
• skinny 
• slim 
• small