thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has little thickness or is not dense, often in reference to physical objects or materials. Example: "The walls of the old house were so thin that I could hear every conversation from the neighbors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Opinion

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Such is the affection for Stuart Pearce in these parts, the opprobrium of the Nottingham Forest supporters on the final whistle was muted and delivered as much in sorrow as in anger, but their patience with the manager must be wearing thin.

The Guardian - Sport

When players come in and play well the squad looks like it has depth, but when they come in and don't play well it starts to look a bit thin.

The Guardian - Sport

Symptoms like oedema, the swelling of legs or face to make children look fat, or thin hair that is easily shed, may be overtly recognizable.

The Guardian

It has been suggested that the more a black woman adopts western standards of beauty – which tend to equate being thin with being beautiful – the more likely she is to suffer from an eating disorder.

The Guardian - Opinion

All that talk of upholding law and order during the miners strike and of the importance of the ballot over unaccountable power looks a little thin in the light of what we now know about police conduct during the strike.

The Guardian

Serves 4 liquid honey 6 tbsp thyme leaves 1½ tsp goat's cheese 150g goat's milk yogurt 500ml air-dried ham 12 thin slices Pour the honey into a small saucepan.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On growth, there was thin gruel indeed – the headline proposals on "credit easing" will require lots more explaining – and by announcing that Britain will cut carbon emissions "no faster" than any other European country, he has shredded the original Cameron slogan of "Vote Blue, Go Green" and surely picked a fight with the Tories' Lib Dem partners.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"And more than that, I would like to apologise directly to Nigel for the phrase 'snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive'.

The Guardian

The prospect of a multi-party government with a wafer-thin majority switching prime ministers after five months might sound pretty far-fetched.

The Guardian - Opinion

7. Sir Toby calls Sir Andrew "an ass-head, and a coxcomb, and a knave, a thin-faced knave, a gull!" - a simpleton in Twelfth Night.

The Guardian

Turmoil erupted in Ukip after Patrick O'Flynn, the party's campaign director, gave an interview saying Farage had been led astray by an inner circle of advisers, which had made him become "snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, use "thin" to emphasize a small dimension relative to other dimensions. For abstract concepts, "thin" can denote a lack of substance or depth.

Common error

In formal academic or business writing, avoid using "thin" when more precise or technical terms like "attenuated", "sparse", or "diluted" would be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thin" is as an adjective, describing a noun's physical dimension or quality. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from describing materials ("thin plate of metal") to abstract concepts ("thin disguise"). Ludwig AI confirms its versatility as an adjective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Lifestyle

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Opinion

10%

Sport

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thin" functions primarily as an adjective, denoting a lack of thickness, density, or substance. As Ludwig examples illustrate, it appears across various contexts, from describing physical attributes to abstract concepts. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. While "thin" is generally neutral, more precise synonyms may be preferred in formal settings. Ultimately, "thin" remains a versatile and commonly used word, effectively conveying the intended meaning across diverse situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim

Refers to a slender or narrow physical form, often implying attractiveness.

slender

Similar to slim, but often suggests a more delicate or elegant thinness.

lean

Implies a lack of fat or excess, often suggesting strength or fitness.

narrow

Describes something with a small width relative to its length.

fine

Suggests a delicate or subtle thinness.

sparse

Indicates a lack of density or abundance.

attenuated

Describes something that has been reduced in force, effect, or physical thickness.

diluted

Refers to something made weaker or less concentrated.

tenuous

Suggests something flimsy or weak, lacking substance.

flimsy

Implies a lack of solidity or strength, often suggesting fragility.

FAQs

How can I use "thin" in a sentence?

You can use "thin" to describe physical objects, like "a thin layer of ice", or abstract concepts, like "a thin excuse".

What can I say instead of "thin"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "slim", "slender", or "lean" to describe something with little thickness.

Which is correct, "thin" or "slim"?

"Thin" and "slim" are both correct, but "slim" often implies a more attractive or desirable thinness, while "thin" is more neutral.

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

"Thin" generally refers to a lack of thickness, while "sparse" refers to something that is thinly scattered or distributed. For example, "thin hair" implies individual strands are fine, while "sparse hair" implies there are few strands.