thinner; thinnest
1
a
: having little extent from one surface to its opposite
thin paper
b
: measuring little in cross section or diameter
thin rope
2
: not dense in arrangement or distribution
thin hair
3
: not well fleshed : lean
4
6
a
: flimsy, unconvincing
a thin disguise
b
: disappointingly poor or hard
had a thin time of it
7
: somewhat feeble, shrill, and lacking in resonance
a thin voice
8
: lacking in intensity or brilliance
thin light
9
: lacking sufficient photographic density or contrast
thinned; thinning
Synonyms
Examples of thin in a Sentence
Adjective
a thin coating of dust
pizza with a thin crust
a thin slice of ham
a thin stand of trees
Verb
He added a little more water to thin the gravy.
The haze thinned in the late afternoon.
His face has been thinned by illness.
Adverb
She sliced the cheese thin.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Rule 2: Modulate your own expectations, too Setting personal boundaries about budget and how many people to buy for can help gift-givers avoid stretching themselves too thin.
—Melinda Fakuade, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Seeding can thicken up older existing lawns that may be thinned out from summer activity and too much shade.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2024
Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 July 2024
Mental health struggles among Veterans remain tragically high, and health resources, both physical and mental, are stretched thin, creating a serious ongoing crisis in the United States.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thin 
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Adjective
Those efforts nonetheless take up many hours of screen time, and are padded out by even thinner material like Willis’ friend Fatty (Ronny Chieng) accidentally drawing crowds to Golden Palace by being overly rude to white patrons — a one-note joke sustained for too many beats.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Rule 2: Modulate your own expectations, too Setting personal boundaries about budget and how many people to buy for can help gift-givers avoid stretching themselves too thin.
—Melinda Fakuade, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
Verb
The scalp serum minimizes shedding and thinning in as little as 90 days.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Seeding can thicken up older existing lawns that may be thinned out from summer activity and too much shade.
—Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2024
Adverb
The armorer was stretched thin, having been asked to work multiple jobs, and the pace of production was hectic.
—Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 July 2024
Mental health struggles among Veterans remain tragically high, and health resources, both physical and mental, are stretched thin, creating a serious ongoing crisis in the United States.
—Kody Boye, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for thin
Dictionary Entries Near thin
Cite this Entry
“Thin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thin. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
thin
1 of 2 adjective
thinner; thinnest
1
: having little extent from one surface to its opposite
thin paper
2
: having widely scattered units
thin hair
3
: having too little flesh
a tall thin boy
4
: less dense than normal
thin air
5
: lacking substance or strength
thin broth
thin excuses
6
: somewhat weak or shrill
a thin voice
thinly
adverb
thin
2 of 2 verb
thinned; thinning
1
: to make or become thin
2
: to reduce in number especially to prevent crowding
thin young carrots in the garden
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