adj., thin·ner, thin·nest.
- Relatively small in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid dimension: a thin book.
- Not great in diameter or cross section; fine: thin wire.
- Lean or slender in form, build, or stature.
- Not dense or concentrated; sparse: the thin vegetation of the plateau.
- More rarefied than normal: thin air.
- Flowing with relative ease; not viscous: a thin oil.
- Watery: thin soup.
- Sparsely supplied or provided; scanty: a thin menu; thin trading.
- Lacking force or substance; flimsy: a thin attempt.
- Lacking resonance or fullness; tinny: The piano had a thin sound.
- Lacking radiance or intensity: thin light.
- Not having enough photographic density or contrast to make satisfactory prints. Used of a negative.
- In a thin manner: Spread the varnish thin if you don't want it to wrinkle.
- So as to be thin: Cut the cheese thin.
To make or become thin or thinner.
[Middle English, from Old English thynne.]
thinly thin'ly adv.thinness thin'ness n.
thinnish thin'nish adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
