slim

[slim]

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

/ slɪm /

adjective

1. small in width relative to height or length

2. small in amount or quality

   slim chances of success

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

/ slɪm /

noun

1. the E African name for AIDS

Slim

³

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of slim¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of slim¹

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

Origin of slim²

from its wasting effects

Synonym Study

See slender.

Example Sentences

Bigger companies, like Ethan Allen Interiors were able to slim down operations, getting core materials like wood from domestic suppliers while things like fabric and structural components come for cheaper from Asia.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Plemons, who has slimmed down to scarecrow dimensions to suit a character who has renounced all worldly pleasures, is one of those rare actors who never seem to be acting.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Sitting at one of the theater’s small tables, Coleman, with his slim build, silver hair and round glasses, looked much the same as he did when he said farewell in 2020.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He’s motivated by the slim chance that he might one day catch passes in the NFL, Miller said, not by the riches on offer through NIL sponsorship deals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Other consumer-goods companies have also begun to slim down portfolios and home in on core categories.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal