First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
slender
adjective slen·der \ˈslen-dər\
: thin especially in an attractive or graceful way
: very narrow : not wide
: small or limited in amount or size
Full Definition of SLENDER
1
a : spare in frame or flesh; especially : gracefully slight b : small or narrow in circumference or width in proportion to length or height
2
: limited or inadequate in amount or scope : meager <people of slender means>
— slen·der·ly adverb
— slen·der·ness noun
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Origin of SLENDER
Middle English sclendre, slendre, from Anglo-French esclendre
Related to SLENDER
Synonym Discussion of SLENDER
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>.
SLENDER Defined for Kids
slender
adjective slen·der \ˈslen-dər\
slen·der·erslen·der·est
Definition of SLENDER for Kids
1
: gracefully thin
2
: narrow for its height or length <a slender rope>
3
: very little <Even on generous scholarships, the transportation was too much for our slender resources. — Katherine Paterson, Jacob Have I Loved>
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