willowy

American  

[wil-oh-ee] / ˈwɪl oʊ i /

adjective

willowier, willowiest

1. pliant; lithe.

2. (of a person) tall, slender, and moving gracefully.

3. abounding with willows.

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willowy British  

/ ˈwɪləʊɪ /

adjective

1. slender and graceful

2. flexible or pliant

3. covered or shaded with willows

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Etymology

Origin of willowy

First recorded in 1760–70; willow + -y ¹

Explanation

If someone's tall, slender, and graceful, you can describe them as willowy. Your willowy friend might prefer hip-hop, but she is as lithe and elegant as a ballet dancer. When a person is willowy, they're as long, lean, and flexible as the branch of a willow tree blowing in the breeze. This adjective was first used in this way around 1790 — earlier, it meant "shaded or bordered by willow trees." And in the 17th century, before willowy was coined, the now-obsolete willowish was used to mean "the color of willow leaves."

Example Sentences

Younglings hatch in the ocean, then drift to the coast as willowy, transparent glass eels.

From National Geographic • Feb. 9, 2024

Fans have latched onto their look, turning up to concerts in willowy ball gowns and elaborate headgear.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2024

“It’s an unsteady composition, a frenzied combination of willowy movement pieces, an ecstatic score and a too-loose narrative,” Lovia Gyarkye wrote in The Hollywood Reporter.

From New York Times • Apr. 21, 2023

Long’s Diane Chambers was a runaway bride, cerebral, willowy, blond, mathematically fated to be mated with Ted Danson’s bartender-proprietor Sam Malone — and they were indeed together off and on through her five seasons.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2022

She’s probably got Jupe by an inch or so height-wise, but completely opposite body type: slim, kind of willowy.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone