paper-thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paper-thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is extremely thin or fragile, often in a literal sense, but can also be used metaphorically. Example: "The walls of the old house were paper-thin, allowing every sound from the neighbors to seep through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Lifestyle

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Slice paper-thin.

The New York Times

Slice paper-thin, vertically.

The New York Times

Their skin was paper-thin.

The New York Times - Health

But the conviction is paper-thin.

The New York Times

The social fabric has worn paper-thin.

The Guardian

Peel onion and slice paper-thin.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"My skin is paper thin.

The New Yorker

The pasta is paper thin.

The New York Times - Food

Arches that look paper thin.

The New York Times - Arts

"The walls were paper thin.

The New York Times - Sports

He called the adjoining walls paper thin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, use "paper-thin" to emphasize their extreme thinness and potential fragility. For abstract concepts, it can highlight a lack of substance or conviction.

Common error

Avoid using "paper-thin" too frequently for abstract concepts like arguments or excuses if a more nuanced term would better capture the specific weakness you want to convey. Consider words like "weak", "flimsy", or "unconvincing" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paper-thin" functions primarily as a compound adjective, modifying nouns to describe something extremely thin. Ludwig shows examples where it describes both physical objects and abstract concepts, indicating its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Food

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "paper-thin" is a common and grammatically correct compound adjective used to describe extreme thinness or a lack of substance. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across different contexts, from physical descriptions to metaphorical expressions. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid overuse in abstract contexts and consider more nuanced alternatives when appropriate. Examples from Ludwig show its presence in news, food writing, and lifestyle content, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

razor-thin

Emphasizes sharpness and extreme thinness, often used for physical objects.

wafer-thin

Implies a delicate and brittle thinness, like a wafer biscuit.

tissue-thin

Compares the thinness to that of tissue paper, emphasizing fragility.

ultra-thin

A modern term indicating extreme thinness, often used in technology.

gossamer-thin

Suggests a delicate, almost ethereal thinness, like a spiderweb.

diaphanous

Describes something so fine it's nearly transparent, implying extreme thinness.

flimsy

Highlights the lack of strength and substance, implying fragility akin to extreme thinness in certain contexts.

delicate

Focuses on the fragility and fineness, akin to something that is very thin and easily damaged.

superfine

Suggests an exceptionally fine texture, similar to something extremely thin.

brittle

Highlights the quality of being easily broken, which can be related to being extremely thin.

FAQs

How can I use "paper-thin" in a sentence?

You can use "paper-thin" to describe physical objects (e.g., "The walls were paper-thin") or abstract concepts (e.g., "His excuse was paper-thin").

What words can I use instead of "paper-thin"?

Alternatives include "razor-thin", "wafer-thin", or "tissue-thin", depending on the specific context.

Is "paper-thin" hyphenated correctly?

Yes, "paper-thin" is correctly hyphenated when used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., "paper-thin skin").

When is it appropriate to use "paper-thin" metaphorically?

It's appropriate to use "paper-thin" metaphorically when describing something lacking substance, strength, or depth, such as a "paper-thin excuse" or a "paper-thin argument".