First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1thin
adjective \ˈthin\
: having a small distance between the top and bottom or front and back surfaces : not thick
: not having a lot of extra flesh on the body : not fat
: not growing closely together : not growing in a large amount
thin·nerthin·nest
Full Definition of THIN
1
a : having little extent from one surface to its opposite <thin paper> b : measuring little in cross section or diameter <thin rope>
2
: not dense in arrangement or distribution <thin hair>
3
: not well fleshed : lean
4
6
a : flimsy, unconvincing <a thin disguise> b : disappointingly poor or hard <had a thin time of it>
7
: somewhat feeble, shrill, and lacking in resonance <a thin voice>
8
: lacking in intensity or brilliance <thin light>
9
: lacking sufficient photographic density or contrast
— thin·ly adverb
— thin·ness \ˈthin-nəs\ noun
— thin·nish \ˈthi-nish\ adjective
— thin on the ground
: scarce 1
See thin defined for English-language learners
See thin defined for kids
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Origin of THIN
Middle English thinne, from Old English thynne; akin to Old High German dunni thin, Latin tenuis thin, tenēre to hold, tendere to stretch, Greek teinein
Related to THIN
Synonym Discussion of THIN
thin, slender, slim, slight, tenuous mean not thick, broad, abundant, or dense. thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance <thin wire> <a thin soup>. slender implies leanness or spareness often with grace and good proportion <the slender legs of a Sheraton chair>. slim applies to slenderness that suggests fragility or scantiness <a slim volume of poetry> <a slim chance>. slight implies smallness as well as thinness <a slight build>. tenuous implies extreme thinness, sheerness, or lack of substance and firmness <a tenuous thread>.
2thin
verb
: to become less crowded, close together, or full
: to make (a liquid) less thick by adding water or some other liquid to it
of a person's hair : to become less thick as more hairs fall out over time
thinnedthin·ning
Full Definition of THIN
transitive verb
intransitive verb
1
: to become thin or thinner
2
: to become weak
See thin defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THIN
before 12th century
Related to THIN
- Synonyms
- cut, dilute, extend, lace, sophisticate, adulterate, water down, weaken
- Antonyms
- enrich, fortify, richen, strengthen
3thin
adverb
: in a way that makes thin pieces, layers, etc.
thin·nerthin·nest
Full Definition of THIN
: in a thin manner : thinly —used especially in combination <thin-clad> <thin-flowing>
See thin defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of THIN
13th century
THIN Defined for Kids
1thin
adjective \ˈthin\
thin·nerthin·nest
Definition of THIN for Kids
1
: having little body fat
2
: having little size from one surface to its opposite : not thick <a thin board>
3
: having the parts not close together <thin hair>
4
: flowing very easily <a thin soup>
5
: having less than the usual number <Attendance was thin.>
6
: not very convincing <a thin excuse>
7
: somewhat weak or high <a thin voice>
8
: having less oxygen than normal <thin air>
— thin·ly adverb
— thin·ness noun
2thin
verb
thinnedthin·ning
Definition of THIN for Kids
: to make or become smaller in thickness or number <The crowd was beginning to thin.>
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