paper-thin
Americanadjective
-
extremely thin.
a paper-thin razor blade.
-
inadequate or unconvincing; flimsy.
a paper-thin excuse.
Etymology
Origin of paper-thin
First recorded in 1925–30
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.
Germany’s lead in chemicals and road vehicles is now paper-thin and it is trailing far behind China in the electrical-equipment market.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 15, 2025
Revealing a boundary as fragile as this paper-thin clay layer required painstaking work.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 30, 2025
He has argued that Gascón’s analysis of the case was paper-thin, questioned the validity of their self-defense claims and repeatedly insisted the brothers had lied about the circumstances of the shooting.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2025
"The amount of detail is paper-thin," he said.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025
The stark pallor gave way to soft blossoms of color as her yellowed, paper-thin skin warmed.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
