less thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not as thin as another object or standard, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new model of the phone is less thin than its predecessor, making it easier to hold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

They change, and don't just become less fat and less thin, they become happier, too.

The Guardian

Corporate sponsors often have broader shoulders and are less thin on the ground, but rarely come problem-free.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The idea of rapists as monsters exonerates by caricature," she writes, urging us to recognize "the banality of misogyny," the disturbing possibility that "people may know full well that those they treat in brutally degrading and inhuman ways are fellow human beings, underneath a more or less thin veneer of false consciousness".

The New Yorker

Walcott's teaching resume is slightly less thin: he spent 18 months as a kindergarten teacher in a private child-care center.

HuffPost

You can be stretched a bit less thin when you have some extra help, and you may also find watching your child do chores makes you see him or her in a more positive light.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Compared to the Coxon of the 1990s and early 2000s, he's much calmer, less thin-skinned.

The Guardian - Music

Sutherland needed to apply common sense on pay and be less thin-skinned.

The Guardian - Business

Despite international prodding, improving human rights does not appear to have a high priority for the Turkish state: torture by the police remains endemic; detainees disappear; government-paid assassins operate freely; editors, academics, religious leaders and members of Parliament are tried for what less thin-skinned countries might consider an opinion.

The New York Times - Books

Regular travelers like me (I fly more than 100,000 miles per year) need to be less thin-skinned, and maybe we need to take more responsibility for ourselves, using eye masks and earplugs and even occasionally swapping seats so that a child can sit next to a parent.

The New York Times - Travel

Results indicated that, contrary to predictions, adolescents with higher levels of mindfulness demonstrated less thinning in the left anterior insula.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

But it could be that families are spending a little less, thinning retailers' profits and forcing them to cut back on staffing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing people, consider the implications of using "less thin". More appropriate terms might be "sturdier" or "more robust" to avoid negative connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "less thin" to describe something without a point of comparison. Instead of saying "The wall is less thin", specify what it's less thin than, or use a more direct adjective like "thick".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less thin" functions primarily as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes something by indicating that it possesses a lower degree of thinness than another item or a previously established standard, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

38%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less thin" is a grammatically sound and relatively common comparative adjective phrase used to describe an object's relative lack of thinness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in news articles and scientific reports, conveying objective assessments of physical dimensions. When writing, use "less thin" to make direct comparisons between items, and avoid using it as an absolute descriptor without a clear reference point. While accurate, in some cases alternatives like "thicker" or "more substantial" may be more straightforward. Finally, be mindful of connotations when describing people; consider alternative terms to avoid unintended offense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as lean

Emphasizes a reduction in leanness, directly opposing the concept of being thin, often in the context of body composition.

somewhat thicker

Indicates a slight increase in thickness compared to something else, which is a related concept to being "less thin".

a bit wider

Shifts the dimension from thinness to width, implying a reduction in slenderness.

more substantial

Highlights an increase in solidity or robustness, implying a departure from being thin or flimsy.

slightly bulkier

Focuses on increased mass or volume, suggesting a move away from being thin.

moderately dense

Changes the focus from physical dimensions to density, yet still implies a move away from the idea of thinness or emptiness.

somewhat padded

Implies a buffer or layer that reduces thinness, especially relevant in contexts like clothing or materials.

not so delicate

Shifts the concept to fragility, implying something is sturdier and thus "less thin" or breakable.

marginally heavier

Changes the attribute to weight, suggesting a departure from the lightness often associated with thinness.

a little inflated

Suggests an increase in size due to internal pressure, which relates to being "less thin" by occupying more space.

FAQs

How can I use "less thin" in a sentence?

Use "less thin" to compare the relative thinness of two objects. For example: "The new laptop is "less thin" than the previous model, making it easier to grip."

What's a good alternative to saying "less thin"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "thicker", "more substantial", or "bulkier".

Is it better to say "less thin" or "thicker"?

While both are grammatically correct, "thicker" is generally more direct and easier to understand. Use "less thin" when you want to explicitly compare thinness relative to something else.

Can "less thin" be used to describe a person's body?

While grammatically correct, describing someone as "less thin" can be interpreted negatively. Consider using more neutral or positive terms such as "sturdier", "more robust", or "healthier".