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
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone who is tall, thin, and a bit gangly-looking.
Common pairings
lanky teenager
tall and lanky
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Word forms
- Comparative
- lankier
- Superlative
- lankiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ teenager towered over his classmates.
Etymology
From lank + -y, lank meaning "thin and long."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lanky
See all rhymes for lanky →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.
