skinny

"Skinny" is most often used for someone or something that is very thin. It can also describe something narrow and close-fitting, like skinny jeans or a skinny tie. In a wider sense, it may describe something that does not have much detail, strength, or support, such as a skinny budget or a skinny argument.

Beyond that, it also appears in the informal phrase "the skinny." If you ask for "the skinny" on something, you want the real story or the important facts. Be careful when using it for a person's body, though, because it can sound critical or insensitive.

The word "skinny" most commonly describes someone or something that is very thin. It often suggests less flesh or substance than is healthy or attractive, so it can sound less positive than words like "slim." Think of a stray cat with visible ribs: many people would describe it as skinny. But the word is not limited to physical appearance.

It is also used for things that feel narrow, slight, or limited. In clothing, it often means tight and narrow in shape, as in "skinny jeans" or a "skinny tie." In more figurative use, it can describe something that lacks detail, support, or substance. A "skinny budget" gives you very little money to work with, and a "skinny argument" does not have much evidence behind it.

There is also the informal noun phrase "the skinny." In that expression, it means the real story, the key facts, or the inside information about something. If a friend says, "Give me the skinny," they want a clear and honest account of what happened.

Because of its tone, context matters. In fashion, the word is common and neutral. When you use it for a person, though, it may suggest that the person looks too thin, weak, or underfed, so it can sound unkind. Whether you are talking about a body, a style of clothing, a weak plan, or the latest gossip, "skinny" usually points to something thin, narrow, slight, or stripped down.