fairly thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fairly thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a moderate level of thinness, often in relation to physical objects or materials. Example: "The book was fairly thin, making it easy to carry around in my bag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The lines are black, straight, fairly thin.

Independent

Yet the musical pickings were fairly thin.

The New Yorker

Volumes were once again fairly thin.

The Guardian - Business

The AT200 is also fairly thin, at 7.7mm.

The Guardian - Tech

It was a fairly thin tale, about a fat pig.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As jazz it was fairly thin, and even as cabaret it had a strangely ascetic feeling.

The New York Times - Arts

Already fairly thin, he starved himself "green and wobbly," he recalls.

The New York Times - Magazine

Macklin, a rugged brawler proficient at flinging combinations from close range, carried a fairly thin résumé into Saturday night.

The New York Times - Sports

There were no American-Studies Departments in the academy at the time, and the critical literature was fairly thin.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"They are fairly thin-skinned.

The New Yorker

It might be possible to make the Contribution Builder partly or fully embeddable in fairly 'thin' clients, thus improving performance and enabling temporary offline data entry.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. If you're discussing data or research, "fairly thin" might suggest a need for more substantial evidence.

Common error

While "fairly thin" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less precise. Opt for stronger, more descriptive alternatives like "meager", "sparse", or quantifiable measurements to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fairly thin" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun to indicate a moderate degree of thinness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. The adverb "fairly" intensifies the adjective "thin", indicating a level that is more than slightly but not extremely thin.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fairly thin" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe something with a moderate degree of thinness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a variety of contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While versatile, more precise alternatives like "moderately slender" or "somewhat sparse" may enhance clarity in certain situations. When writing, consider the specific context to avoid overuse and ensure your descriptions remain accurate and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very thick

A straightforward way of saying something lacks thickness.

relatively slim

Highlights a comparison to a general expectation of thickness.

moderately slender

Focuses on physical slenderness, similar to describing an object's dimensions.

rather lean

Similar to "slim", but can also imply a lack of substance or content.

reasonably narrow

Focuses on a limited width, suitable for describing physical objects.

somewhat sparse

Emphasizes a low density or scarcity, applicable to abstract concepts like crowds or evidence.

quite meager

Emphasizes a small or insufficient amount, suitable for describing resources or supplies.

noticeably slight

Highlights the perceptibility of thinness, emphasizing that it is easily observed.

slightly diluted

Suggests reduced strength, concentration or value.

a bit unsubstantial

Highlights lack of solidity or strength.

FAQs

What does "fairly thin" mean?

The phrase "fairly thin" means moderately thin, suggesting something is not very thick but not extremely so. It implies a moderate degree of thinness.

What can I say instead of "fairly thin"?

You can use alternatives like "moderately slender", "somewhat sparse", or "relatively slim" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "fairly thin"?

Yes, it is correct to say something is "fairly thin". It's a common and grammatically sound way to describe the degree of thinness. The phrase is usable in written English.

How does "fairly thin" compare to "very thin"?

"Fairly thin" implies a moderate level of thinness, while "very thin" suggests a much greater degree of thinness. "Fairly" indicates it's somewhat thin, but not extremely so, whereas "very" emphasizes a high degree of thinness.