spindly

Spindly is an adjective used to describe something that is long and thin in a way that seems awkward or fragile. The term is commonly applied to physical form, such as a person’s limbs, an animal’s legs, or a plant’s stems, when they appear unusually slender and lacking in sturdiness. In horticulture, spindly describes plants with long, weak stems and sparse foliage, often a result of etiolation due to insufficient light or imbalanced nutrition that causes excessive elongation of internodes. A spindly tomato plant, for example, tends to grow tall and leggy with few leaves and is prone to bending or breaking.

Etymology: Spindly derives from spindle, a slender rod used for twisting fibers, combined with the suffix -y meaning “characterized by.” The form is attested in early modern English and has since become a common descriptive term in both everyday speech and writing.

Usage: Spindly is a descriptive, not a precise scientific term, and it can carry evaluative connotations signaling weakness or lack of vigor. It can apply to people, animals, plants, or objects with disproportionately long and slender appendages or frames when support or strength is lacking. Related terms include lanky and gangly, which emphasize length more than sturdiness, while opposite terms such as sturdy or robust describe the contrasting condition.

In literature and everyday language, spindly often conveys a sense of fragility or awkwardness, reinforcing a visual impression of something that struggles to bear weight or function effectively.