lank

[ langk ]

adjective

, lank·er, lank·est.

1. (of plants) unduly long and slender:

   lank grass; lank, leafless trees.

2. (of hair) straight and limp; without spring or curl.
3. lean; gaunt; thin.

lank

¹

/ læŋk /

adjective

1. informal.
   a lot; a great deal

lank

²

/ læŋk /

adjective

1. long and limp
2. thin or gaunt

Derived Forms

• ˈlankness, noun
• ˈlankly, adverb

Other Words From

• lankly adverb
• lankness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lank¹

before 1000; Middle English lanc, Old English hlanc; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, side. flank

Word History and Origins

Origin of lank¹

perhaps from Afrikaans lank long

Origin of lank²

Old English hlanc loose

Example Sentences

The soubrette had a lank young body neatly attired in a store suit and shirt-waist.

From Project Gutenberg

His hair and brows and lashes were paler than straw, and his long lank figure was without either distinction or muscularity.

From Project Gutenberg

The master manhunter wheeled, saw the lank figure of Jeff Weedham standing in the door.

From Project Gutenberg

The door of the rotunda swings open, admitting the tall, lank figure of the Deputy Warden.

From Project Gutenberg

He had the Yankee body, lank and ribbed, and was so tall that his head seemed always looking over a transom.

From Project Gutenberg