slim

American  

[slim] / slɪm /

adjective

slimmer, slimmest

1. slender, as in girth or form; slight in build or structure.

   Synonyms:

   thin

   Antonyms:

   fat

2. poor or inferior.

   a slim chance; a slim excuse.

3. small or inconsiderable; meager; scanty.

   a slim income.

   Synonyms:

   paltry, trivial, trifling, insignificant

   Antonyms:

   abundant, considerable

4. sized for the thinner than average person.

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verb (used with object)

slimmed, slimming

1. to make slim.

verb (used without object)

slimmed, slimming

1. to become slim.

2. Chiefly British. to try to become more slender, especially by dieting.

noun

1. a garment size meant for a thin person.

verb phrase

1. slim down

   1. to lose weight, especially intentionally.

   2. (of a business) to reduce operating expenses; economize.

slim ¹ British  

/ slɪm /

adjective

1. small in width relative to height or length

2. small in amount or quality

   slim chances of success

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verb

1. to make or become slim, esp by diets and exercise

2. to reduce or decrease or cause to be reduced or decreased

Slim ² British  

/ slɪm /

noun

1. the E African name for AIDS

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Slim ³ British  

/ slɪm /

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)

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Related Words

See slender.

Other Word Forms

• slimly adverb
• slimmer noun
• slimness noun
• unslim adjective
• unslimly adverb
• unslimmed adjective
• unslimness noun

Etymology

Origin of slim

1650–60; < Dutch slim sly, (earlier) crooked (cognate with German schlimm bad, (earlier) crooked)

Example Sentences

Spirit Airlines has reached a deal with its creditors and expects to emerge from bankruptcy as a slimmer airline — and one not solely focusing on budget air travelers, it said Tuesday.

From MarketWatch

Despite the late point, the result deals Dortmund's slim title hopes a blow ahead of Bayern's visit next Saturday.

From Barron's

That’s why she hasn’t bothered stocking up on supplies, and maintains — an admittedly slim — hope that negotiations will bring about a deal.

From Los Angeles Times

Team GB's women's curlers' slim hopes of reaching the Winter Olympics semi-finals remain alive after they stole two shots in an incredible final-end victory over the United States.

From BBC

She’d slimmed down and shot up and started worrying about clothes.

From Literature