adj.
(thinner, thinnest)
- having opposite surfaces or sides relatively close together.
▸(of a garment or similar item) made of light material.
▸(of a garment or fabric) having become less thick as a result of wear.
- having little flesh or fat on the body.
- having few parts or members relative to the area covered or filled; sparse.
▸not dense or heavy:
the thin air of the mountains.
- containing much liquid and not much solid substance.
- (of a sound) faint and high-pitched.
▸(of a smile) weak and forced.
- lacking substance or quality; inadequate or weak:
the evidence is rather thin.
adv.
with little thickness.
v.
(thins, thinning, thinned)
- make or become less thick.
- remove some plants from (a row or area) to allow the others more room to grow.
- Golf hit (a ball) above its centre.
Phrase
- be thin on the ground
see ground1. - have a thin time
Brit. informal have a miserable or uncomfortable time. - thin air
used to refer to the state of being invisible or non-existent. - the thin blue line
informal the police.
Derivative
- thinly adv.
- thinness n.
- thinnish adj.
Etymology
OE thynne, of Gmc origin.