adj

lanky

LANGK-ee

Lanky (adj) means Tall and thin, often in an awkward or ungainly way. Example: “The lanky teenager towered over his classmates.”

adj

Tall and thin, often in an awkward or ungainly way.

"The lanky teenager towered over his classmates."

"He was a lanky young man with long arms and legs."

How to use lanky

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes someone who is tall, thin, and a bit gangly-looking.

Common pairings

lanky teenager tall and lanky

Word forms

lankier comparative, Lankies plural, lankiest superlative

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The _____ teenager towered over his classmates.

Etymology

From lank + -y, lank meaning "thin and long."

Rhymes for lanky

cranky swanky skanky spanky Franky

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Frequently asked questions

What does “lanky” mean?

The word “lanky” means tall and thin, often in an awkward or ungainly way. In plain terms, describes someone who is tall, thin, and a bit gangly-looking.

How do you pronounce “lanky”?

“Lanky” is pronounced LANGK-ee (/ˈleɪ̯ŋki/ in IPA).

How do you use “lanky” in a sentence?

Here is “lanky” used in a sentence: “The lanky teenager towered over his classmates.”

What part of speech is “lanky”?

“Lanky” is an adjective.