SKINNY Synonyms: 137 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'skinny' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of skinny are gaunt , lanky , lank , lean , rawboned , scrawny , and spare . While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. // a scrawny chicken // skinny street urchins

Q: When is 'gaunt' a more appropriate choice than 'skinny'?

The meanings of gaunt and skinny largely overlap; however, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. // a prisoner's gaunt face

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lank' instead of 'skinny'?

While the synonyms lank and skinny are close in meaning, lank implies tallness as well as leanness. // the lank legs of the heron

Q: Where would 'lanky' be a reasonable alternative to 'skinny'?

In some situations, the words lanky and skinny are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. // a lanky youth, all arms and legs

Q: When can 'lean' be used instead of 'skinny'?

While in some cases nearly identical to skinny , lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. // a lean racehorse

Q: When might 'rawboned' be a better fit than 'skinny'?

The synonyms rawboned and skinny are sometimes interchangeable, but rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. // a rawboned farmer

Q: When could 'spare' be used to replace 'skinny'?

The words spare and skinny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. // the gymnast's spare figure

skinny 1 of 2

adjective

ˈski-nē

Definition of skinny

as in thin

being of less than usual width the tree swing was supported only by a couple of skinny branches

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in slender

having a noticeably small amount of body fat her grandmother was always insisting that she was too skinny and never tired of trying to force more food on her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

skinny

2 of 2

noun

slang

as in scoop

information not generally available to the public a TV show that offers all the skinny on Tinseltown and the stars that light it up

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective skinny contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of skinny are gaunt, lanky, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken

skinny street urchins

When is gaunt a more appropriate choice than skinny?

The meanings of gaunt and skinny largely overlap; however, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is it sensible to use lank instead of skinny?

While the synonyms lank and skinny are close in meaning, lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

Where would lanky be a reasonable alternative to skinny?

In some situations, the words lanky and skinny are roughly equivalent. However, lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can lean be used instead of skinny?

While in some cases nearly identical to skinny, lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When might rawboned be a better fit than skinny?

The synonyms rawboned and skinny are sometimes interchangeable, but rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

When could spare be used to replace skinny?

The words spare and skinny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of skinny

Adjective

Rodríguez Castro wore light-blue skinny jeans, a tight, black Hugo Boss T-shirt and Hermes sneakers. — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026 Hollinger’s pre-draft analysis Wagler has a skinny frame, near-zero explosiveness and ran maybe two fast breaks the entire season. — David Aldridge, New York Times, 25 June 2026

Noun

There are big boys throwing their weight around, and there are wild skinnies with flying arms and spinning back-kicks, chopping out their emergency version of personal space. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 16 Dec. 2025 And while many might be reluctant to close the time capsule door on their beloved skinnies, some of us are sighing with relief that the current denim trend is comfy enough for travel. — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skinny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skinny

Adjective

The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.

— STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 July 2026
Sprinkle the entire rug with a thin layer of baking soda and wait 20 minutes.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of thin

Adjective

There’s a second wine cellar that will hold an additional 2,000 bottles, and, just beyond the kitchen, an outdoor dining gallery is heated for comfort, with a slender fire feature that runs the length of the table.

— Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2026
Small and slender, with an average length of about two feet, it is found in the mountainous areas of West Texas.

— Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Definition of slender

Noun

Gomez's outfit, styled by Erin Walsh, featured a figure-hugging silhouette with a scoop neckline and a fringe hem.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 5 July 2026
To complete your outfit, grab the matching top that’s similarly made from a lightweight, airy cotton fabric and features front buttons, a scoop neckline, flutter sleeves, and a self-tie closure.

— Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Definition of scoop

Adjective

Its designs were suited to its urban New England market — three stories high with a narrow footprint.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Sheer rock walls loom on one side, while the other, which is largely unguarded, plunges to the narrow canyon below.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of narrow

Noun

That tip helped lead investigators to Vasquez, a ride-share driver.

— Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
Although authorities haven't publicly linked them to the German prosecutions, some investigators have cited tips from German authorities and journalists as crucial to their progress.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026

Definition of tip

Adjective

Adding non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats to pasta salad or potato salad can reduce their glycemic impact.

— Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 6 July 2026
Created in consultation with nutritionist and food consultant Ankita Jalori, the dishes on offer use millets, whole grains, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and low-fat dairy options, such as goat milk.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026

Definition of lean

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skinning

skinny

skins

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“Skinny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skinny. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of skinny

adjective

noun

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Synonyms of skinny

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on skinny

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Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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