lanky

adjective

ˈlaŋ-kē How to pronounce lanky (audio)
Definition of lankynext
as in gaunt
being tall, thin and usually loose-jointed the lanky basketball star was great at slam-dunking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lanky contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of lanky are gaunt, lank, lean, rawboned, scrawny, skinny, and spare. While all these words mean "thin because of an absence of excess flesh," lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness.

a lanky youth, all arms and legs

When can gaunt be used instead of lanky?

Although the words gaunt and lanky have much in common, gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering.

a prisoner's gaunt face

When is lank a more appropriate choice than lanky?

The synonyms lank and lanky are sometimes interchangeable, but lank implies tallness as well as leanness.

the lank legs of the heron

When would lean be a good substitute for lanky?

The words lean and lanky can be used in similar contexts, but lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours.

a lean racehorse

When could rawboned be used to replace lanky?

While in some cases nearly identical to lanky, rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment.

a rawboned farmer

How do scrawny and skinny relate to one another, in the sense of lanky?

Both scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality.

a scrawny chicken
skinny street urchins

Where would spare be a reasonable alternative to lanky?

The meanings of spare and lanky largely overlap; however, spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.

the gymnast's spare figure

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lanky But the 17-year-old’s lanky 6ft 3in (190cm) frame and composure on the ball stood out and his return is eagerly awaited. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 16 May 2025 At 6-3, 191 pounds, Campbell presents a lanky frame in the middle of the infield or in the outfield. —Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 Instead of trying to defend Jokić with Jaxson Hayes, their lanky starting center, or a more physical backup center, the Lakers deployed Rui Hachimura against Jokić. —Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025 As a tall, lanky receiver at 6-5, 195 pounds, Skinner is a decent route-runner who has speed and explosiveness to separate from defenders. —Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lanky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lanky
  1. gaunt
  2. skinny
  3. spindly
  4. rangy
  5. thin
  6. gangly
  7. slender
Adjective
  • Recent photos of Bieber out and about show him looking gaunt and disappearing into his clothes.
    — Shirley Halperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2025
  • While Kahn was on the GLP-1 bandwagon earlier than most, her story has become the norm for those using weight loss drugs, finding their skin is looser and their face is more gaunt, creating a wealth of opportunity across the beauty ecosphere.
    — Emily Burns, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
Definition of gaunt
Adjective
  • The teens proceeded to go skinny dipping, and upon emerging from the water, Abdela was freezing.
    — Alex Gurley, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Dyson has officially unveiled its skinniest vacuum yet: the new PencilVac, which measures just 38mm in diameter.
    — Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of skinny
Adjective
  • The spindly 6-0, 170-pounder made big strides each season after that.
    — Bruce Feldman, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • Keep in mind, in the world of asparagus, thin and spindly is not always better than thick and chunky.
    — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 May 2025
Definition of spindly
Adjective
  • The rangy Eintracht Frankfurt striker Ekitike will be one of the targets for Europe’s top teams this summer, and Liverpool has thrown its hat into the ring along with fellow Premier League side Chelsea as one of the teams interested.
    — James Nalton, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • The rangier types can be cut back each year to maintain an attractive form.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2025
Definition of rangy
Adjective
  • While Paul is still remarkably good for someone at his experience level, the novelty of his act has been wearing thin.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • And was there ever, complete with Angus Young, knobby knees and thin ankles, scampering, duck-walking and hopping from place to place.
    — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Definition of thin
Adjective
  • Piani did the right thing in casting Rutherford, whose physical embodiment of Agathe suggests a tall, gangly, striking woman trying not to be seen.
    — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
  • Light pruning results in a gangly, unkempt plant by midsummer.
    — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of gangly
Adjective
  • Courtesy of Dyson For such a slender vacuum, Dyson managed to squeeze in a ton of noteworthy features.
    — Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 22 May 2025
  • In 2016, the Dodgers sent pitcher Zach Lee to the Pacific Northwest in return for the slender middle infielder.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of slender

Browse Nearby Words

lank
lanky
lantern
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Cite this Entry

“Lanky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lanky. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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