Slim vs. Thin: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Slim refers to being gracefully slender, while thin describes a lack of thickness or body mass.
Key Differences
Slim is commonly used to describe a figure that is slender in an attractive or healthy way. Thin, however, often implies a lack of flesh or substance, sometimes carrying a negative connotation.
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Dec 05, 2023
In describing objects, slim connotes a sleekness or compactness, like a slim book or phone. Thin, in contrast, emphasizes a small distance between surfaces, like thin paper.
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Dec 05, 2023
Slim can carry a positive implication, suggesting fitness or leanness without being underweight. Thin might suggest being overly lean, sometimes to the point of being underweight or frail.
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Dec 05, 2023
A slim chance implies a small but possible opportunity, using slim in a figurative sense. Thin, when used figuratively as in a 'thin excuse,' often implies insubstantial or weak reasoning.
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Dec 05, 2023
In fashion, slim is often used to describe a flattering, close-fitting style. Thin, in this context, might refer to the fine or delicate texture of fabric or material.
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Dec 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Connotation
Gracefully slender, often positively viewed
Lacking thickness or mass, sometimes negative
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Used For
People, objects (phones, books), chances
Objects (papers, materials), excuses
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Implication
Fitness, leanness, sleekness
Frailty, insubstantiality, delicateness
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Figurative Use
Small but possible (slim chance)
Weak or insufficient (thin excuse)
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Dec 05, 2023
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Slim and Thin Definitions
Slim
Slender in an attractive way.
She admired the slim silhouette of the dress.
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Dec 05, 2023
Slim
Having a thin, elegant shape.
He preferred the slim design of the new smartphone.
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Dec 05, 2023
Thin
Lacking strength or substance.
Their excuses were too thin to be believable.
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Dec 05, 2023
Slim
Delicately slender.
The artist captured the tree's slim branches beautifully.
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Dec 05, 2023
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Thin
Relatively small in extent from one surface to the opposite, usually in the smallest solid dimension
A thin book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
Little in quantity or probability.
There's a slim chance we'll arrive on time.
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Dec 05, 2023
Slim
Not wide, having a small breadth.
The slim alley was barely wide enough for two people.
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Dec 05, 2023
Slim
Small in girth or thickness in proportion to height or length; slender.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
(of a person or a person's build) Slender in an attractive way.
Movie stars are usually slim, attractive, and young.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
(of a workforce) Of a reduced size, with the intent of being more efficient.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
(of something abstract like a chance or margin) Very small, tiny.
I'm afraid your chances are quite slim.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Not having enough photographic density or contrast to make satisfactory prints. Used of a negative.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
In a thin manner
Spread the varnish thin if you don't want it to wrinkle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
A type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes.
I only smoke slims.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite.
Thin plate of metal;
Thin paper;
Thin board;
Thin covering
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Very narrow in all diameters; having a cross section that is small in all directions.
Thin wire;
Thin string
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Having little body fat or flesh; slim; slender; lean; gaunt.
Thin person
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Scarce; not close, crowded, or numerous; not filling the space.
The trees of a forest are thin; the corn or grass is thin.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
(golf) Describing a poorly played golf shot where the ball is struck by the bottom part of the club head. See fat, shank, toe.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
Of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height or length; slender; as, a slim person; a slim tree.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Slight; small; slender; flimsy; superficial; inadequate; not sufficient for a covering.
A thin disguise
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
Being of delicate or slender build;
She was slender as a willow shoot is slender
A slim girl with straight blonde hair
Watched her slight figure cross the street
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Oct 19, 2023
Slim
Small in quantity;
Slender wages
A slim chance of winning
A small surplus
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
(philately) A loss or tearing of paper from the back of a stamp, although not sufficient to create a complete hole.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Any food produced or served in thin slices.
Chocolate mint thins
Potato thins
Wheat thins
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
(intransitive) To become thin or thinner.
The crowds thinned after the procession had passed: there was nothing more to see.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
To remove some plants or parts of plants in order to improve the growth of what remains.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Having little thickness or extent from one surface to its opposite; as, a thin plate of metal; thin paper; a thin board; a thin covering.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Rare; not dense or thick; - applied to fluids or soft mixtures; as, thin blood; thin broth; thin air.
In the day, when the air is more thin.
Satan, bowing lowHis gray dissimulation, disappeared,Into thin air diffused.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Not close; not crowded; not filling the space; not having the individuals of which the thing is composed in a close or compact state; hence, not abundant; as, the trees of a forest are thin; the corn or grass is thin.
Ferrara is very large, but extremely thin of people.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Not full or well grown; wanting in plumpness.
Seven thin ears . . . blasted with the east wind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Not stout; slim; slender; lean; gaunt; as, a person becomes thin by disease.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Wanting in body or volume; small; feeble; not full.
Thin, hollow sounds, and lamentable screams.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Slight; small; slender; flimsy; wanting substance or depth or force; superficial; inadequate; not sufficient for a covering; as, a thin disguise.
My tale is done, for my wit is but thin.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Not thickly or closely; in a seattered state; as, seed sown thin.
Spain is thin sown of people.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
To grow or become thin; - used with some adverbs, as out, away, etc.; as, geological strata thin out, i. e., gradually diminish in thickness until they disappear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Of relatively small extent from one surface to the opposite or in cross section;
Thin wire
A thin chiffon blouse
A thin book
A thin layer of paint
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Thin
Lacking excess flesh;
You can't be too rich or too thin
Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look
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Thin
Having little substance or significance;
A flimsy excuse
Slight evidence
A tenuous argument
A thin plot
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Thin
Relatively thin in consistency or low in density; not viscous;
Air is thin at high altitudes
A thin soup
Skimmed milk is much thinner than whole milk
Thin oil
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Oct 19, 2023
Thin
Having little depth or substance.
The thin walls allowed every sound to pass through.
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Dec 05, 2023
Thin
Very small in diameter or thickness.
She wore a thin gold chain around her neck.
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Dec 05, 2023
Thin
Lacking in body mass, lean.
The doctor was concerned about his thin frame.
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Dec 05, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does slim always imply healthiness?
Generally, slim suggests healthiness, but context can alter its implication.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can thin be used positively?
Yes, in some contexts, like describing a thin slice of cake, it can be positive.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is slim more flattering than thin?
Often, slim is seen as more flattering, as it implies attractiveness and health.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can objects other than people be described as slim?
Yes, objects like phones or books can be described as slim.
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Dec 05, 2023
Do slim and thin have different connotations in fashion?
In fashion, slim often refers to a desirable fit, while thin can refer to fabric.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can slim be subjective?
Yes, perceptions of what is considered slim can vary.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is thin used in technology to describe devices?
Yes, devices like laptops or TVs can be described as thin.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can thin imply a lack of quality?
Sometimes, thin can imply poor quality, as in thin material.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is thinness always related to body weight?
No, thinness can refer to the dimensions of an object or material.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is slim used metaphorically?
Yes, like in 'slim chances,' it can have metaphorical uses.
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Dec 05, 2023
Does slim have a direct antonym?
Terms like 'broad' or 'thick' can be considered antonyms.
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Dec 05, 2023
Does thin have a negative connotation in health?
It can, especially if it implies being underweight or unhealthy.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can thin describe sound or air?
Yes, thin can describe a weak sound or rarefied air.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is thin used in cooking or food descriptions?
Yes, thin is used to describe the thickness of slices or liquids.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are slim and thin used differently across cultures?
Cultural perceptions can influence the use and connotations of both words.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can slim imply scarcity?
Slim can imply scarcity, especially in phrases like 'slim pickings.'
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Dec 05, 2023
Can slim and thin be used in art descriptions?
Yes, they can describe lines, shapes, or figures in art.
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Dec 05, 2023
Does thin imply fragility?
In some contexts, thin can imply fragility or delicacy.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are slim and thin used in sports commentary?
Yes, they can describe athletes, equipment, or chances of winning.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can slim and thin have different meanings in different industries?
Yes, their meanings can vary in industries like fashion, tech, or health.
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Dec 05, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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