thin
1 antonyms and opposites of thin, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Having little distance between opposite surfaces; not thick.
Antonyms
How to use thin
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English þynne, an ancient Germanic word related to "stretch" — something stretched thin has little thickness.
Full origin of thin →Frequently asked questions
What does “thin” mean?
The word “thin” means having little distance between opposite surfaces; not thick. In plain terms, not thick — used for physical width, body size, liquids, crowds, or weak arguments.
How do you pronounce “thin”?
“Thin” is pronounced THIHN (/ˈθɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “thin” in a sentence?
Here is “thin” used in a sentence: “She sliced the bread into thin, even pieces.”
What is another word for “thin”?
Words with a similar meaning to “thin” include skinny, slender, slim, svelte, waifish and scrawny.
What is the opposite of “thin”?
The opposite of “thin” — its antonyms — is thick.
What part of speech is “thin”?
Depending on how it is used, “thin” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “thin” come from?
The word “thin” comes from Old English. From Old English þynne, an ancient Germanic word related to "stretch" — something stretched thin has little thickness.
Is “thin” a common word?
“Thin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between thin and skinny?
Both describe something with little width, but thin is neutral and general, as in a thin book or a thin slice. Skinny almost always describes a person or animal's body and suggests being too lean, often unflatteringly so. You can call paper thin, but not skinny. Skinny carries a judgment that thin usually does not.
What is the opposite of thin?
The usual opposite is thick, used for physical width, as in a thick wall or a thick blanket. When describing a person's body, the opposite is more often heavy or plump. For liquids, a thin sauce contrasts with a thick one. The right antonym depends on whether you mean width, body, or consistency.
Is thin a positive or negative word?
It depends on context. Describing a person as thin can be neutral or complimentary, though it may hint at frailty. For materials it is often a drawback, as in thin walls or a thin excuse, suggesting weakness or inadequacy. Yet thin can be desirable too, as with a thin, lightweight laptop.