thin
adjective
θɪn 
θɪn not thick
1 having a smaller distance between opposite sides or surfaces than other similar objects or than normalCut the vegetables into thin strips.A number of thin cracks appeared in the wall.The body was hidden beneath a thin layer of soil.a thin blouse (= of light cloth) see also paper-thinnot fat
2 (of a person or part of the body) (sometimes disapproving) not covered with much fleshHe was tall and thin, with dark hair.She was looking pale and thin.He is as thin as a rake (= very thin).thin legshair
3 not growing closely together or in large amountsthin grey hairliquid
4 containing more liquid than is normal or expectedSynonym
runnyThe sauce was thin and tasteless.smoke
5 fairly easy to see throughThey fought their way through where the smoke was thinner.air
6 containing less oxygen than normalHumans would not be able to survive in the thin atmosphere of the planet.sound
7 (disapproving) high and weakHer thin voice trailed off into silence.smile
8 not sincere or enthusiasticHe gave a thin smile.light
9 not very brightthe thin grey light of dawnpoor quality
10 of poor quality; lacking an important qualitya thin excuse (= one that people are not likely to believe)Their arguments all sound a little thin to me.The general standard of applicants is pretty thin this year. ˈθɪnnəs ˈθɪnnəs Idioms
be skating/walking on thin ice
to be taking a risk
disappear, vanish, etc. into thin air
to disappear suddenly in a mysterious way
She can't just have vanished into thin air.have a thin time (of it)
(British English, informal) to have many problems or difficulties to deal with; to not be successfulHe's had a thin time of it since losing his job.out of thin air
from nowhere or nothing, as if by magic
Unfortunately, I can't just conjure up the money out of thin air!the thin end of the wedge
(especially British English) an event or action that is the beginning of something more serious and/or unpleasantThe introduction of a tax on workplace parking is seen by many as the thin end of the wedge.thin on top
(informal) without much hair on the headHe's starting to get a little thin on top (= he's losing his hair).a thin skin
the lack of ability to accept criticism, insults, etc. without becoming upset
Synonym
sensitiveYou shouldn't be in politics if you have such a thin skin.Opposite
a thick skin see also thin-skinned
Usage note: narrow / thinThese adjectives are frequently used with the following nouns:| narrow ~ | thin ~ |
| road | man |
| entrance | legs |
| bed | ice |
| stairs | line |
| majority | layer |
| victory | material |
| range | cream |
Usage note: Saying that somebody is thinThin is the most usual word: Steve is tall and thin and has brown hair. It is sometimes used with a negative meaning: Mother looked thin and tired after her long illness.The following words all express praise or admiration:Slim means pleasantly thin. It is often used to describe women who have controlled their weight by diet or exercise: She has a beautifully slim figure.A slender girl or woman is thin and graceful.A lean man is thin and fit.Willowy describes a woman who is attractively tall and thin.The following words are more negative in their meaning:Skinny means very thin, often in a way that is not attractive: a skinny little kid.Bony describes parts of the body when they are so thin that the bones can be seen: the old man’s bony hands.Scrawny suggests that a person is thin, weak and not attractive: a scrawny old woman.Gaunt describes a person who is a little too thin and looks sad or ill.Underweight is used in medical contexts to describe people who are too thin because they are ill or have not had enough food: Women who smoke risk giving birth to underweight babies.Emaciated describes a serious condition resulting from illness or lack of food.Anorexic is a medical term, but is now also used informally to describe a girl or woman who is so thin that you are worried about them.It is more acceptable to talk to somebody about how thin or slim they are than about how fat they are. note at fat