Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • slim
    slim
    adjective
    slender, as in girth or form; slight in build or structure.
  • Slim
    Slim
    noun
    the E African name for AIDS
Synonyms

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.


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

"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

verb

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

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

"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
Slim 2 British  
/ slɪm /

noun

  1. the E African name for AIDS

"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

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)

"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

Synonym Usage

See slender.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of slim

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

Explanation

Anything slim is thin or narrow. So, your sister may be considered slim, and you could also have "a slim chance" of winning the lottery. Slim people are slender, and slim things are usually delicate, like a slim watch band. You can also use slim to describe a margin or a chance: "There was only a slim likelihood that the home team would win this game." Back in the early 1800s, to slim meant "to do one's work carelessly," and in the seventeenth century, the adjective was also used to mean "sly or crafty."

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing slim

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.

It hasn't just been for the city, though, as Fatboy Slim was keen to tell us.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Before his set, Fatboy Slim told BBC Newsbeat he was "looking forward to enjoying my songs without any swear words".

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Like for the Yuma tent last year with Fatboy Slim.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Also appearing will be the godfather of punk, Iggy Pop, and Fatboy Slim -- the British DJ and producer who dominated the electronic music scene in the 1990s.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

George asked, “Did you see Slim out in the barn?”

From "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "slim" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com