skinny

Skinny is an English adjective used to describe someone or something that is very thin or slender. When applied to people, it often refers to low body mass relative to height and can carry neutral, positive, or negative connotations depending on tone and context. The term is informal and may be sensitive in discussions of body image.

In fashion and design, skinny describes a tight or narrow silhouette, such as skinny jeans, skinny trousers, or a skinny tie. In branding and marketing, the word is sometimes used to suggest simplicity, minimalism, or sleekness. The term can also describe objects that are narrow or elongated, such as a skinny candle or a skinny rake, in everyday language.

Other uses exist in casual speech. For example, the expression the skinny refers to essential information or the basics of a matter, as in “What’s the skinny on this project?”

Etymology and evolution: skinny derives from skin with the suffix -y. It entered English in the early modern period and has shifted from describing texture or coverage to signaling thinness and tight-fitting styles. Today, its connotations vary by context and speaker, ranging from affectionate or neutral to pejorative when used to label a person.

Health and social context: describing someone as skinny can reflect perceptions of health, nutrition, or fitness and may be inappropriate if used judgmentally. In medical contexts, more precise terms such as underweight or low body fat are preferred.