skinny
CommonInformal
Definition
Meaning
Very thin or lean, especially referring to a person's body.
Can describe low fat content (e.g., in food); in slang, means inside information or confidential details.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries negative connotations when describing people, but neutral in fashion (e.g., skinny jeans) or food contexts (e.g., skinny latte).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; both varieties use similarly, but 'skinny' as slang for inside information is more prevalent in American English.
Connotations
In both, can imply underweight negatively; in American English, more casually used in everyday speech.
Frequency
Equally common in informal contexts, but American English shows higher frequency in slang usage (e.g., 'the skinny').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to give the skinny on somethingto get skinny (verb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “skinny dip”
- “the skinny on something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; informally used for insider details, e.g., 'Get the skinny on the deal.'
Academic
Seldom used; may appear in fashion, nutrition, or health studies.
Everyday
Frequent in casual conversation to describe thinness or in phrases like 'skinny jeans'.
Technical
In fashion, refers to tight-fitting clothing; in nutrition, denotes low-fat options.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He skinnied down after the marathon training.
American English
- She skinnied up for the summer vacation.
adverb
British English
- She dressed skinnily for the party, but it was unusual.
American English
- He ate skinnily to meet his fitness goals.
adjective
British English
- Those trousers are far too skinny for comfort.
American English
- He looks skinny in that new suit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My dog is very skinny.
- I want to buy skinny jeans.
- After the illness, she became quite skinny.
- They enjoyed a skinny dip in the river.
- The actor's skinny appearance raised health concerns.
- Can you give me the skinny on the office gossip?
- Her skinny frame contrasted with her robust energy.
- The reporter uncovered the skinny on the political scandal.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'skin' showing due to lack of flesh, so 'skinny' means very thin.
Conceptual Metaphor
THINNESS AS LACK OR MINIMALISM
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Directly translating as 'худой' without noting informal tone
- Using 'skinny' in formal contexts where 'стройный' or 'тонкий' is more appropriate
Common Mistakes
- Describing non-living things as 'skinny' (e.g., 'a skinny book' instead of 'thin book')
- Overusing in formal writing where 'slender' or 'lean' is preferred
Practice
Quiz
What does 'the skinny' typically mean in informal American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'skinny' is informal and often replaced with 'thin' or 'slender' in formal contexts.
Yes, in contexts like 'skinny jeans' or 'skinny latte', it is neutral or positive, describing style or low-fat content.
'Skinny' is more general for thinness, while 'scrawny' implies unattractive thinness with lack of muscle.
In British English, 'skinny' is pronounced as /ˈskɪni/, with stress on the first syllable.