English · Word Candidate

skinny

/ˈskɪni/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: skinnier · skinniest · skinnies · skinnying

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Thin, generally in a negative sense (as opposed to slim, which is thin in a positive sense).

AdjectiveRegister: informal

Her recent weight loss has made her look rather skinny than slender

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Of food or a beverage, having reduced fat or calories.

AdjectiveRegister: informal

skinny flat white

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

The details or facts; especially, those obtained by gossip or rumor.

NounRegister: colloquial

She called to get the skinny on the latest goings-on in the club.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A state of nakedness; nudity.

Noun

Again, she appears nude whilst dipping in the skinny, but this time, instead of being eaten by a shark or a bear, she encounters a Japanese submarine

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “skinny” mean?

Thin, generally in a negative sense (as opposed to slim, which is thin in a positive sense).

Is “skinny” formal or informal?

skinny is generally informal.