thin appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

"thin appearance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone as being thin. For example: "He had a sickly thin appearance that betrayed his actual age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Garner is clear in her book that Singh's psychological cocktail – a possible personality disorder, coupled with the effects of drug use – made her an astonishingly wilful person, capable of convincing her father, a qualified doctor, to pay a deposit for liposuction even as he fretted about her dangerously thin appearance.

The Guardian - Film

PUBLIC scrutiny of the dangerously thin appearance of several runway models this fall served to divide the fashion industry between those who agreed with calls for regulation and those who did not see a problem, like Stefano Gabbana, who told Women's Wear Daily, Backstagee we have food and I always see models eating — sometimes more than me".

The New York Times

Six factors were assessed, including body mass index (BMI), perception of teasing, social pressure to be thin, appearance comparison, thin-ideal internalization and perceived social support.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Societal standards of attractiveness in the Western world often focus on a thin appearance for women and a mesomorphic but muscular appearance for men (Karazia et al. 2013).

Fashion and Textiles

Some fans were alarmed by her extremely thin appearance.

Huffington Post

Oftentimes, films or TV shows about eating disorders try to convince victims to stop by showing them their sickly thin appearance.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Any Name Goes to the Park, for instance, is a lovely bit of wish-fulfilment – its production values aren't particularly high, but it has a soaring quality belied by its pamphlet-thin appearance.

The Guardian - Books

Trichologists say brushing hair that much could actually make hair break off, causing more of a thinning appearance if you excessively brush.

Huffington Post

Although diabetic mice exhibited glycosuria, they developed a ruffled thinner appearance and consumed more water per day than the untreated group.

BioMed Research International

The overall staining pattern of the ghost membrane appeared to be identical between wild-type and hema6 homozygous mice, so was the relative intensity of bands representing major RBC membrane and skeleton proteins, with slightly "thinner" appearance at ankyrin-1 area in hema6 homozygotes.

G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics

Girls completed self-report assessments of body dissatisfaction, psychological (internalization of the thin ideal, appearance comparison, and self-esteem) and peer environment (weight-related teasing and appearance conversations) risk factors for body dissatisfaction, and dietary restraint, at baseline, post-intervention, and at 6-month follow-up.

Eating Behaviors

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's physical condition, use "thin appearance" carefully and consider the context. Be sensitive to the potential negative connotations, especially when discussing health or body image.

Common error

Avoid using "thin appearance" in situations where a simpler adjective like "slim" or "lean" would suffice. The phrase can sound overly clinical or judgmental in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin appearance" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to a person or object's physical aspect. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

54%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thin appearance" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a physique lacking in bulk, as confirmed by Ludwig. While generally neutral, its formality varies depending on the context. It's more appropriate in formal settings like scientific reports or news articles than in casual conversations. Be mindful of the implications and consider using alternative phrases like "slender build" or "lean physique" to avoid potential insensitivity. The phrase appears most frequently in Science and News & Media, according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emaciated form

Highlights extreme thinness, often due to illness or starvation.

gaunt look

Focuses on the unhealthy or emaciated aspect of a thin appearance.

underweight figure

Directly states that someone's weight is below the healthy range.

attenuated aspect

Uses a more formal term to describe a reduced or weakened appearance.

slender physique

Emphasizes a graceful and lean body shape.

slight build

Indicates a small and delicate physical structure.

lean silhouette

Draws attention to the outline or shape of a thin body.

frail build

Suggests a delicate and weak physical structure.

spare form

Suggests a body lacking in excess flesh or fat.

scrawny frame

Implies a bony and unattractive thinness.

FAQs

How can I describe someone with a "thin appearance" without being insensitive?

Consider using more neutral terms like "slender build" or "lean physique". If the thinness is due to illness, focus on their health condition rather than their appearance.

What does it mean when someone is described as having a "thin appearance"?

It generally suggests they are underweight or have a body shape with little fat. In some contexts, it might imply frailty or ill health.

Is it appropriate to comment on someone's "thin appearance"?

It depends on your relationship with the person and the context. Avoid making unsolicited comments about someone's weight or body shape, as it can be hurtful or offensive.

What are some causes of a "thin appearance"?

A "thin appearance" can result from various factors, including genetics, diet, exercise, underlying medical conditions, or eating disorders. It's essential to avoid making assumptions about the cause.