slender

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "slender" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is thin or small in size or build. For example: "She had a slender figure and graceful movements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Europa League-chasing Lazio appeared happy enough to cling onto a slender lead after Stefan Radu added some excitement to a dull first half with a rare goal.

The Guardian - Sport

She is an energetic anti-poverty campaigner, infuriated by the media's vicious attacks on "benefit scroungers" and the inability of politicians and policymakers to comprehend the slender margins of breadline life.

The Guardian

In the Favela do Moinho, the last favela standing in central São Paulo, the water supply of around 2,500 residents hangs on a single, impossibly slender blue PVC pipe that runs beneath the dirt on the nameless main drag.

The Guardian

Cameron and Osborne have a slender electoral mandate for a coalition no one explicitly voted for, say the unions.

The Guardian

The SNP, which lost a referendum to end the union with England last September, won all but three of Scotland's 59 seats, dozens of them from Labour in a region that was once a stronghold for the party and opening the way to significant influence in Britain's 650-seat Westminster parliament as Cameron's Conservatives seek to govern with a slender majority.

The Guardian

It was around this time that Ruiz, who always made the most of the slender resources at his disposal, was given bigger budgets and bigger stars.

The Guardian - Film

Lowe gave the Cowboys a slender 2-0 lead in the 28th minute after the Tigers were penalised for stripping in the tackle.

The Guardian - Sport

On the subject of how arithmetic will have the final say, the statistical record of Wales defending a slender lead in the last quarter is not good.

The Guardian - Sport

However, they did give David Cameron a sizeable majority, which he now lacks, and those of us with long memories will remember how that slender win in 1992 played out for John Major, whose war of attrition with a rump of rightwing MPs became emblematic of his demise.

The Guardian

Álvaro Morata, who had set up the opener, then restored Juve's lead shortly before half-time to provide a slender advantage for the second leg on 18 March.

The Guardian - Sport

Dominic Sandbrook is a historian whose books include Never Had It So Good and Mad as Hell The 1964 general election was hotly contested and narrowly decided – power went to Labour by an exceedingly slender majority.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slender" to add a touch of elegance or refinement when describing something thin, especially in contexts where precision or visual appeal is important.

Common error

While "slender" is a valid word, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "thin" or "slim" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The word "slender" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate thinness or slightness in a graceful or delicate way. Ludwig AI highlights its use in describing physical attributes or abstract concepts like "slender lead" or "slender majority".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slender" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adjective, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It typically conveys a sense of graceful thinness or slightness and is found most often in news media and formal business contexts. While it's a versatile word, be mindful of its slightly formal tone and consider simpler alternatives like "thin" or "slim" in casual settings. Ludwig's examples show "slender" describing physical characteristics, opportunities, and even political margins, illustrating its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim

This alternative is more direct and commonly used to describe physical thinness.

thin

This is a basic and widely understood synonym for "slender", often interchangeable.

slight

Similar to "slender" but emphasizes smallness or insignificance more than thinness.

meagre

This refers to a small or insufficient amount, similar to one sense of "slender".

narrow

This focuses on the dimension of width, conveying a similar sense of thinness.

lithe

Implies gracefulness and flexibility in addition to thinness, a nuance not always present in "slender".

svelte

Highlights elegance and attractiveness in thinness, adding a layer of connotation.

scant

Emphasizes a lack or deficiency, similar to "slender" when referring to resources or opportunities.

attenuated

This more formal term suggests a reduction or weakening, related to "slender" in contexts of lessening.

diminutive

Focuses on small size overall, rather than specifically thinness, but shares a sense of reduced scale.

FAQs

How can I use "slender" in a sentence?

You can use "slender" to describe something that is gracefully thin, like "She has a "slender figure"" or "The building had "slender towers"".

What's the difference between "slender" and "thin"?

"Slender" often implies a more elegant or graceful thinness, while "thin" is a more general term. You might describe a dancer as "slender", but a piece of paper as "thin".

What are some synonyms for "slender"?

Alternatives include "slim", "thin", "slight", "lithe", and "svelte". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "slender" to describe a chance or opportunity?

Yes, you can use "slender" to describe a small or unlikely chance, similar to saying "a "slim chance"". For example, "There's a "slender hope" that they will reconsider".