gaunt

¹

[gawnt]

adjective

gaunter, gauntest 

1. extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.

   Synonyms: rawboned, angular, lank, scrawny, spare, lean
   Antonyms: stout

2. bleak, desolate, or grim, as places or things.

   a gaunt, windswept landscape.

Gaunt

²

[gawnt, gahnt]

noun

1. John of. John of Gaunt.

gaunt

/ ɡɔːnt /

adjective

1. bony and emaciated in appearance

2. (of places) bleak or desolate

Other Word Forms

• gauntly adverb
• gauntness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaunt¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, probably from Old French gaunet, jaunet “yellowish,” derivative of gaune, jaune “yellow,” from Latin galbinus “greenish-yellow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaunt¹

C15: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian dialect gand tall lean person

Synonym Study

See thin.

Example Sentences

The prisoners and detainees emerged with their heads shaved, looking gaunt and pale in the afternoon sun — a measure, many said, of the harsh treatment they received.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As prisoners exited a Red Cross bus in Ramallah, many draped in traditional Keffiyeh scarves, they were met by raucous cheers - but many looked pale and gaunt, with some struggling to walk.

Read more on BBC

As prisoners exited a Red Cross bus in Ramallah, many draped in traditional Keffiyeh scarves, they looked pale and gaunt, with some struggling to walk.

Read more on BBC

His gaunt cheekbones just weren’t as obvious before.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She is seven months pregnant, gaunt and exhausted.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• angular 
• emaciated 
• thin