willowy

Willowy is an adjective used to describe something or someone with a tall, slender, and gracefully elongated form, reminiscent of a willow tree. The term emphasizes lightness, flexibility, and flowing lines, often applied to a person’s silhouette or gait, as well as to fabrics, architecture, or landscapes that appear slender and graceful.

Etymology: The word is formed from the noun willow with the adjectival suffix -y, indicating resemblance or characteristic. It is a conventional descriptive term in English, commonly found in literary and descriptive prose.

Usage: Willowy is generally positive or neutral, suggesting elegance and suppleness. It can also carry a nuance of fragility or delicateness; the connotation depends on context. It is most frequently used of humans—describing dancers, models, or other tall, slender individuals—but can also describe objects or scenes with slender, graceful lines.

Examples: A willowy dancer moved across the stage; willowy branches swayed in the breeze; a willowy figure in a long dress.

Synonyms and related terms include slender, lithesome, graceful, lanky, and limber. The term should not be confused with the willow tree itself.