thinner

¹ American  

[thin-er] / ˈθɪn ər /

adjective

1. comparative of thin.

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thinner ² American  

[thin-er] / ˈθɪn ər /

noun

1. a volatile liquid, as turpentine, used to dilute paint, varnish, rubber cement, etc., to the desired or proper consistency.

2. a person who adds thinners to paints, varnishes, etc.

3. a person who specializes in weeding plants, pruning shrubbery, thinning fruit, etc.

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thinner British  

/ ˈθɪnə /

noun

1. (often plural, functioning as singular) a solvent, such as turpentine, added to paint or varnish to dilute it, reduce its opacity or viscosity, or increase its penetration into the ground

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Etymology

Origin of thinner

First recorded in 1825–35; thin + -er ¹

Example Sentences

It can cut stroke risk by more than 65% and, for some people, reduce the need for blood thinners.

From Barron's

Conversations become thinner and more guarded, because detail becomes dangerous.

From BBC

The realization that I didn’t have enough of my prescription medications to last three extra days—including blood thinners, which I was taking after a near-fatal pulmonary embolism last year—sent me into a tizzy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Searle lives with a rare eyesight condition called Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy - which affects vision by causing the optic nerve to become progressively thinner.

From BBC

But the country still has millions of well-to-do shoppers who can afford to splurge on, say, a $6 package of Sam’s Club-exclusive Oreos, with thinner cookies and more cream.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• delicate
• fragile
• gaunt
• lean
• meager
• narrow
• skinny
• slim
• small