less than slim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less than slim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is not slim, often implying a degree of excess weight or bulkiness. Example: "After the holidays, I found myself feeling less than slim and decided it was time to get back to the gym."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But the prospect of U.N. peacekeepers landing on the peninsula anytime soon is less than slim.

The New Yorker

Kerry Collins has begun shopping his talents -- Pittsburgh was among the teams that received a call yesterday -- and the likelihood that he will again play for the Giants is less than slim.

The New York Times - Sports

Jim McCrery, R-La., the top Republican on the Ways and Means Committee, has already called it "the mother of all tax hikes"–and the odds of a tax increase passing in 2008 during a presidential election campaign are less than slim.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Less Than Jake.

WikiHow

The rationale for the total amount of contact time (5.25 h over a 12-month period) with counsellors would be similar to monthly weight management appointments in NHS (primary care) but less than commercial slimming clubs.

BMJ Open

If you're distributing less than either 50 magazineslim slim newspapers/200 A4 or A5 leaflets, then you don't need a stall, you just need a decent bag.

WikiHow

"As Sony did last generation with the PS3 Slim less than three years into the sales cycle, Microsoft has moved quickly to release an upgraded version of the Xbox One," said analyst Piers Harding-Rolls of IHS Digital.

The Guardian - Tech

Despite ending the summer with three half centuries in four innings, a total of 376 runs in 11 with an average of less than 40 represents unacceptably slim pickings given Cook's previous standards – and his wait for a Test ton will now stretch until next April, at the earliest, which will be a startling 23 months since his last.

The Guardian - Sport

By 1998, the economic penalty for being fat had increased: the net worth of the obese woman was 60% less than that of her slimmer sisters.

The Economist

Researchers who have studied the genetics of people who are short or overweight have found that they earn less than their taller and slimmer colleagues.

The Guardian

The novel is slim and pensive, not cheerful beach reading material, but a vivid glimpse of a less-than-carefree type of summer.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "less than slim" to subtly indicate something is not as slender or likely as expected, avoiding harsher terms like 'overweight' or 'impossible'.

Common error

Avoid using "less than slim" in contexts where a precise measurement or degree is needed; it's best suited for subjective descriptions or nuanced implications. Instead, use specific values to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less than slim" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, often modifying a noun either directly or indirectly. According to Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and understandable, indicating a state that is not quite slim or a probability that is not strong.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less than slim" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to subtly describe something that is not particularly slender or likely. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the phrase is relatively rare and best suited for neutral contexts where understatement or euphemism is desired. As exemplified by sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase often appears in news articles and general discourse, providing a nuanced way to express a degree of imperfection or improbability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not quite thin

Similar to "not particularly thin" but uses "quite" to soften the negation.

not particularly thin

Directly negates thinness, maintaining the physical description aspect but with a broader scope.

unlikely

Directly expresses the lack of probability, simpler and more concise.

not exactly slender

Uses a more refined synonym for 'slim', adding a touch of elegance to the description.

hardly likely

Focuses on the low probability of something occurring, shifting from physical description to likelihood.

not very probable

Emphasizes the improbability, differing by using a more formal tone and focusing solely on likelihood.

somewhat overweight

Replaces 'slim' with its opposite, directly addressing weight.

barely possible

Highlights the minimal possibility, moving from describing a state to describing a potential outcome.

marginally thicker

Suggests a slight deviation from thinness, implying a minor increase in size.

a remote chance

Shifts the focus to the slimness of a chance or opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "less than slim" in a sentence?

You can use "less than slim" to describe something that is not as slender or lean as desired. For example, "After a long winter, my chances of fitting into last summer's clothes are "hardly likely"".

What are some alternatives to "less than slim"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "not particularly thin", "somewhat overweight", or "a remote chance".

Is it appropriate to use "less than slim" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "less than slim" may be considered informal for academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise or neutral terms like "marginally thicker" or "not very probable" in such contexts.

What does "less than slim" imply about the subject?

The phrase "less than slim" suggests that the subject is not as slender or likely as expected, often with a slightly negative or humorous connotation. It avoids directly stating a negative attribute, opting for a more subtle implication.