gaunt
6 synonyms and 4 antonyms for gaunt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Unhealthily thin, especially with a hollow, drawn look from hunger, illness, or exhaustion.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use gaunt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a gaunt face
gaunt and haggard
gaunt figure
Etymology
From Middle English gaunt; its deeper origin is genuinely uncertain, with rival theories pointing to Old Norse or Old French roots.
Full origin of gaunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “gaunt” mean?
The word “gaunt” means unhealthily thin, especially with a hollow, drawn look from hunger, illness, or exhaustion. In plain terms, thin and drawn-looking, usually because of illness, hunger, or hardship — or, for a place, bleak and stark.
How do you pronounce “gaunt”?
“Gaunt” is pronounced gawnt (/ɡɔnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “gaunt” in a sentence?
Here is “gaunt” used in a sentence: “After weeks in the hospital, his face looked gaunt and pale.”
What part of speech is “gaunt”?
“Gaunt” is an adjective.
Where does the word “gaunt” come from?
The word “gaunt” comes from Old French. From Middle English gaunt; its deeper origin is genuinely uncertain, with rival theories pointing to Old Norse or Old French roots.
How many meanings does “gaunt” have?
“Gaunt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unhealthily thin, especially with a hollow, drawn look from hunger, illness, or exhaustion.
