slim
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for slim, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Thin, especially in an attractively slender way.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
How to use slim
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed from Low German or Dutch slim, originally meaning "crooked" or "sly." The meaning gradually softened over centuries into "thin, graceful" in English — what linguists call a rare positive shift in meaning.
Full origin of slim →Frequently asked questions
What does “slim” mean?
The word “slim” means thin, especially in an attractively slender way. In plain terms, thin (usually said approvingly), or, of a chance or margin, very small.
How do you pronounce “slim”?
“Slim” is pronounced SLIHM (/ˈslɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “slim” in a sentence?
Here is “slim” used in a sentence: “She stayed slim by cycling to work every day.”
What part of speech is “slim”?
Depending on how it is used, “slim” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “slim” come from?
The word “slim” comes from German. Borrowed from Low German or Dutch slim, originally meaning "crooked" or "sly." The meaning gradually softened over centuries into "thin, graceful" in English — what linguists call a rare positive shift in meaning.
Is “slim” a common word?
“Slim” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “slim” have?
“Slim” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: thin, especially in an attractively slender way.
What is the difference between "slim" and "skinny"?
Both describe thin people, but the tone differs sharply. "Slim" is complimentary, suggesting an attractively slender, healthy build, while "skinny" often implies someone looks too thin. In polite conversation, "slim" is the safer choice.
Why do "slim chance" and "fat chance" mean the same thing?
It is a well-known quirk of English. A "slim chance" uses slim's sense of "very small; barely enough," so the chance is tiny. "Fat chance" is sarcastic — the speaker really means there is no chance at all — which lands it in the same place, though it is the more dismissive and informal of the two.
What is the difference between "slim" and "slender"?
Both mean attractively thin, and when describing people they are near-perfect synonyms, though "slender" can sound slightly more literary. "Slim" is the more common choice in everyday speech and in figurative phrases for small amounts, such as "slim chance," "slim margin," and "slim majority."