I felt thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I felt thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sensation of lightness or a perception of one's body size, often in a metaphorical or emotional context. Example: "After a long day of exercise and healthy eating, I felt thin and invigorated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I felt thin, like air, as if I would float away, and perfectly awake….

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I feel thin standing next to these guys," he said, before thanking Schwarzenegger and Cinemax, the evening's organizer (which is showing "Pumping Iron" later this month, along with interviews and never-before-seen footage).

The New Yorker

A few years later I took a solo workshop with Abra Bigham and began to develop some material, but again it felt thin and flat -- partly because I lacked a connection to my body and its creative impulses.

Huffington Post

This work's companion painting, "Night," shows a similar moment of intimate observation: a drowsy pug-nosed brunette groggily investigating an exposed buttock, perhaps asking, "Do I feel thinner than when I went to bed, or not?" The image can bring to mind Poussin's paintings of the drunken Silenus, and indeed appetite seems to be its point.

The New York Times - Arts

I never felt thin enough.

Huffington Post

Auster is usually brilliant at evoking this kind of contingency, but it feels thin and unsatisfying here.

The New York Times - Books

I immediately felt thinner and richer when she pulled out of the driveway.

Huffington Post

When I awoke, just after we passed Golmud, the air felt thin, although oxygen was now pumping hard into the compartment.

The New Yorker

I guess that the budget didn't quite extend that far but the programme felt thin and unbalanced without it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

My vision started to go and the air suddenly felt thin.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jeremy Scott's show, among those closing out French fashion week on Friday, felt thin on ideas.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I felt thin" to describe a physical sensation of lightness, often after exertion or a change in diet. It can also be used metaphorically to express a sense of emotional or spiritual lightness.

Common error

Avoid using "I felt thin" when describing situations that require more precise or descriptive language, such as medical conditions or detailed physical changes. Ensure the context supports the metaphorical or physical lightness being conveyed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I felt thin" functions primarily as a declarative statement expressing a subjective sensation or perception. It combines a first-person pronoun ("I"), a sensory verb ("felt"), and an adjective ("thin") to describe a personal experience. Ludwig shows various examples where it conveys physical lightness or emotional relief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I felt thin" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a personal sensation of lightness or slenderness. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correctness and provides examples from reputable sources, mainly within news and media contexts. While not overly common, the phrase effectively conveys a subjective experience. It is recommended to consider the context when using this phrase, ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning, whether physical or metaphorical. Alternatives like "I felt slender" or "I felt light as air" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt slender

Replaces "thin" with "slender", suggesting a more graceful or elegant sense of leanness.

I felt light as air

Emphasizes a feeling of weightlessness and ease.

I felt wispy

Implies a delicate and insubstantial feeling.

I felt featherlight

Highlights the sensation of being extremely light, like a feather.

I felt diminished

Focuses on a reduced sense of size or importance.

I felt like I had lost weight

Suggests a perception of weight loss, whether actual or perceived.

I felt like I was fading away

Conveys a sense of disappearing or becoming less substantial.

I felt like I was shrinking

Expresses a sensation of becoming smaller in size.

I felt insubstantial

Highlights a lack of physical presence or solidity.

I felt ethereal

Suggests a delicate, almost otherworldly lightness.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I felt thin"?

Saying "I felt thin" can mean you experienced a sensation of lightness or slenderness, either physically or emotionally. It suggests a feeling of reduced weight or substance.

What can I say instead of "I felt thin"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt slender", "I felt light as air", or "I felt diminished" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "I felt thin" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "I felt thin" may be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider more precise language to describe the sensation or experience.

Can "I felt thin" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "I felt thin" can be used metaphorically to describe a feeling of emotional lightness, relief, or reduced burden, similar to saying "I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders".