Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

lanky

American  
[lang-kee] / ˈlæŋ ki /

adjective

lankier, lankiest

  1. ungracefully thin and rawboned; bony; gaunt.

    a very tall and lanky man.
lanky British  
/ ˈlæŋkɪ /

adjective

  1. tall, thin, and loose-jointed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • lankily adverb
  • lankiness noun

Etymology

Origin of lanky

First recorded in 1660–70; lank + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Flament grew up in Belgium, but, finding no way into the French club system, moved to Loughborough University for its rugby programme, arriving as a lanky fly-half and initially playing for the university's fifth team.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Michael was still growing into his lanky frame and taking classes at Ohio State.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

"I really love it," the lanky 14-year-old said, "because I can talk in person with my classmates again."

From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025

“That was just stunning to me,” said the folksy Collinsworth, still lanky and boyish at 66.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Across the aisle, lanky, curly-haired Dylan, his finger stabbing the air, talks down at Kelvin, A’Leia, and DeShon.

From "Paradise on Fire" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.