Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

slim

[slim]
See more synonyms for slim on Thesaurus.com
adjective, slim·mer, slim·mest.
  1. slender, as in girth or form; slight in build or structure.
  2. poor or inferior: a slim chance; a slim excuse.
  3. small or inconsiderable; meager; scanty: a slim income.
  4. sized for the thinner than average person.
Show More
verb (used with object), slimmed, slim·ming.
  1. to make slim.
Show More
verb (used without object), slimmed, slim·ming.
  1. to become slim.
  2. Chiefly British. to try to become more slender, especially by dieting.
Show More
noun
  1. a garment size meant for a thin person.
Show More
Verb Phrases
  1. slim down,
    1. to lose weight, especially intentionally.
    2. (of a business) to reduce operating expenses; economize.
Show More

Origin of slim

1650–60; < Dutch slim sly, (earlier) crooked (cognate with German schlimm bad, (earlier) crooked)
Related formsslim·ly, adverbslim·ness, nounun·slim, adjectiveun·slim·ly, adverbun·slim·ness, nounun·slimmed, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for slim on Thesaurus.com
1. thin. See slender. 3. insignificant, trifling, trivial, paltry.

Antonyms

1. fat. 3. considerable; abundant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for slim

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Sidney considered, poking a slim finger into the little holes in the box.

    K

    Mary Roberts Rinehart

  • "Yes, that was another of Jack's fool schemes," put in Slim.

  • Slim made a few hasty passes at his hair and said he was ready.

  • Linda folded her slim hands on the table and leaned forward.

    Her Father's Daughter

    Gene Stratton-Porter

  • The Countess knows—and have Slim bring something to carry him home on.

British Dictionary definitions for slim

slim

adjective slimmer or slimmest
  1. small in width relative to height or length
  2. small in amount or qualityslim chances of success
Show More
verb slims, slimming or slimmed
  1. to make or become slim, esp by diets and exercise
  2. to reduce or decrease or cause to be reduced or decreased
Show More
See also slim down
Derived Formsslimly, adverbslimmer, nounslimness, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Dutch: crafty, from Middle Dutch slimp slanting; compare Old High German slimbi obliquity

Slim1

noun
  1. the E African name for AIDS
Show More

Word Origin

from its wasting effects

Slim2

noun
  1. William Joseph, 1st Viscount. 1891–1970, British field marshal, who commanded (1943–45) the 14th Army in the reconquest of Burma (now called Myanmar) from the Japanese; governor general of Australia (1953–60)
Show More
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

Word Origin and History for slim

adj.

1650s, "thin, slight, slender," from Dutch slim "bad, sly, clever," from Middle Dutch slim "bad, crooked," from Proto-Germanic *slembaz "oblique, crooked" (cf. Middle High German slimp "slanting, awry," German schlimm "bad, cunning, unwell"). In English 17c. also sometimes with a sense "sly, cunning, crafty." Related: Slimly; slimness. With obsolete extended adjectival forms Slimsy "flimsy, unsubstantial" (1845); slimikin "small and slender" (1745). Slim Jim attested from 1887 in sense of "very thin person;" from 1902 as a type of slender cigar; from 1975 as a brand of meat snack.

Show More

v.

1808, "to scamp one's work, do carelessly or superficially," from slim (adj.). Meaning "to make slim" (a garment, etc.) is from 1862; meaning "reduce (one's) weight" is from 1930. Related: Slimmed; slimming.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper