thinly built

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thinly built" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has a slender or slight physique. Example: "Despite being thinly built, she was incredibly strong and agile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The thinly built Sir Stanley, 5 feet 9 inches and 157 pounds, was a superb stylist, known for his extraordinary balance, passing skills and bursts of speed.

The New York Times - Sports

Before the Steel's release, many viewed the thinly built ASUS as the most stylish rectangle-faced option.

Los Angeles Times

Talbot said that Windle was the most thinly built elite swimmer that he had trained, and had great trouble in trying to increase Windle's frame.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Most canoes of the period achieved that balance through canvas stretched over a wood frame, while guide boats were built from thinly planed cedar or pine reinforced by spruce ribs less than half an inch in diameter, cut from the tree's stump and roots along their natural grain and curved to maximize their strength.

The New York Times

Further, three major tobacco firms -- Phillip Morris, British American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco -- built a thinly-veiled campaign, similar to the one proposed by Public Affairs Engagement, to drive grassroots support against plain packaging.

Huffington Post

Visit a church at random next Sunday and you will probably encounter a few dozen people sprinkled thinly over a sanctuary that was built to accommodate hundreds or even thousands.

The New York Times - Books

Built pell-mell, the city lies thinly on the ground, radiating out from a small historical downtown and business district into hilly suburbs.

The New York Times

From thinly-veiled comments to outright attacks, many feel campaigns built on the language of male camaraderie only serve to signify male exclusionism, or Corbyn's perceived failure to engage with women's issues.

Vice

They let their three acres of Bartletts hang on the tree 10 days longer than do commercial growers, then slice them thinly and dehydrate them in a device of secret design Mr. Simpson built.

The New York Times - Food

But the benefits of such projects are spread thinly across the electorate whereas the costs fall heavily on the locality where they will built.

The Economist

The role of the media in stirring public opinion was carefully built into a recent episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," a thinly veiled fictionalization of Rihanna and Mr. Brown's relationship that ends with her death.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person, consider using "thinly built" to convey a sense of slightness or slenderness without necessarily implying weakness. For example: "The athlete, though thinly built, possessed surprising strength."

Common error

Avoid using "thinly built" when you want to emphasize strength or resilience; it may unintentionally suggest frailty. Use stronger terms like "lean", "muscular", or "lithe" if that's your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thinly built" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, providing information about its physical attributes, specifically regarding its slender or slight construction, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thinly built" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something or someone with a slender or slight physique. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it is primarily found in news, media, and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential connotations of fragility and consider alternatives like "slender" or "slim" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slenderly constructed

Focuses on the manner of construction, implying a delicate or slim build.

lightly framed

Emphasizes the frame's lightness, suggesting a delicate or frail build.

delicately structured

Highlights the delicate nature of the structure, implying a fragile build.

faintly constructed

Underlines the frailty and slightness of construction.

narrowly built

Emphasizes the narrowness of the build, focusing on width rather than overall size.

slimly formed

Highlights the slimness in the form of something.

finely shaped

Highlights the fine shaping of something, and implies something that is small.

narrow in structure

Focuses on the narrow structure of something.

slight of build

Emphasizes the slightness of a person's or object's build.

weak of construction

Focuses more on the build being of poor quality.

FAQs

How can I use "thinly built" in a sentence?

"Thinly built" is often used to describe someone or something with a slender or slight physique. For example: "Despite being "thinly built", she was incredibly strong and agile."

What are some alternatives to using "thinly built"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "slender", "slim", "slight", or "lightly framed".

When is it appropriate to use "thinly built"?

It's appropriate to use "thinly built" when you want to describe something that is slender or has a delicate construction. Be mindful of the connotations, as it can sometimes imply fragility.

What's the difference between "thinly built" and "poorly built"?

"Thinly built" describes physical slenderness or delicacy, while "poorly built" refers to the quality of construction, implying it is not well-made or structurally sound.