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

Tall and willowy, she wore glasses and the same short brown bob she had as a teenager.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

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

She was tall and willowy, and the sun gave her long sandy hair a golden halo.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia