adj
Common
skinny
SKIH-nee
Skinny (adj) means Very thin, often used with a slightly negative or critical tone. Example: “The skinny stray dog was clearly hungry, so we fed it.”
adj
1
Very thin, often used with a slightly negative or critical tone.
"The skinny stray dog was clearly hungry, so we fed it."
"He felt self-conscious about his skinny arms at the swimming pool."
"He was a skinny kid who grew into his height later."
2
Made with reduced fat or fewer calories, especially describing coffee drinks.
"Could I have a skinny cappuccino with no sugar, please?"
"My sister always asks for a skinny hot chocolate at the cafe."
"She ordered a skinny latte instead of her usual order."
noun
1
Informal: inside information or the real facts about a situation.
"What's the skinny on the new manager? Is she friendly?"
"Ask Dan for the skinny; he always knows what's going on in the office."
"Give me the skinny on what happened at the meeting."
How to use skinny
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery thin, low-fat, or (informally) the inside details on something.
Common mistake
"Skinny" (thin, sometimes unflatteringly) is not the same as "slim" or "slender," which sound more neutral or positive.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
skinny jeans
skinny latte
get the skinny
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Word forms
- Plural
- skinnies
- Third person singular
- skinnies
- Past tense
- skinnied
- Comparative
- skinnier
- Superlative
- skinniest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ stray dog was clearly hungry, so we fed it.
Etymology
From Middle English, originally meaning "resembling skin," from "skin" plus "-y."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for skinny
See all rhymes for skinny →Frequently asked questions
What does “skinny” mean?
The word “skinny” means very thin, often used with a slightly negative or critical tone. In plain terms, very thin, low-fat, or (informally) the inside details on something.
How do you pronounce “skinny”?
“Skinny” is pronounced SKIH-nee (/ˈskɪni/ in IPA).
How do you use “skinny” in a sentence?
Here is “skinny” used in a sentence: “He was a skinny kid who grew into his height later.”
What part of speech is “skinny”?
Depending on how it is used, “skinny” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “skinny” come from?
The word “skinny” comes from Middle English. From Middle English, originally meaning "resembling skin," from "skin" plus "-y.".
Is “skinny” a common word?
“Skinny” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “skinny” have?
“Skinny” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very thin, often used with a slightly negative or critical tone.
Is it rude to call someone skinny?
It can be. Skinny often carries a slightly negative or critical tone, suggesting a person is too thin, so many people take it as unflattering. If you mean it as a compliment, slim or slender are safer choices.
What is the difference between skinny and slim?
Both describe a thin person, but the tone differs. Slim is a positive, complimentary word suggesting an attractively lean build, while skinny hints that someone is excessively or unhealthily thin.
