adj
gaunt
gawnt
Gaunt (adj) means Unhealthily thin, especially with a hollow, drawn look from hunger, illness, or exhaustion. Example: “After weeks in the hospital, his face looked gaunt and pale.”
adj
1
Unhealthily thin, especially with a hollow, drawn look from hunger, illness, or exhaustion.
"After weeks in the hospital, his face looked gaunt and pale."
"The famine left the villagers gaunt and weak."
2
Bleak, bare, or desolate, describing a place or a mood rather than a person.
"The gaunt ruins stood silent against the grey sky."
How to use gaunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThin and drawn-looking, usually because of illness, hunger, or hardship — or, for a place, bleak and stark.
Common mistake
Gaunt almost always implies something negative (illness, suffering, bleakness) — it isn't a neutral synonym for "slim."
Common pairings
a gaunt face
gaunt and haggard
gaunt figure
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Word forms
- Comparative
- gaunter
- Superlative
- gauntest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After weeks in the hospital, his face looked _____ and pale.
Etymology
From Middle English gaunt; its deeper origin is genuinely uncertain, with rival theories pointing to Old Norse or Old French roots.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gaunt
See all rhymes for 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.
