wafer-thin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wafer-thin" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is extremely thin, often in a literal sense, such as food or materials, but can also be used metaphorically. Example: "The new smartphone is wafer-thin, making it easy to carry in your pocket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Now, online-trading commissions are wafer-thin.

The Economist

But this bead is wafer-thin.

The New York Times

The result is wafer-thin margins and closures.

The Economist

The wafer-thin slices of white peach, however, are ambrosial.

Independent

The deal left it with wafer-thin capital cushions.

The Guardian - Business

Some wore wafer-thin shoes or splitting trainers.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Tadpoles, it turns out, don't like wafer thin ham.

The Guardian

The scientific rationale is, at best, wafer thin.

The Guardian

Meats to be cooked are cut wafer thin and are done in seconds.

The New York Times

Wafer thin, neat uniformed men walking up and down the aisles.

The Guardian - Travel

"Girls are taught that they've got to be under 100 pounds and wafer thin," Cohen said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical objects, use "wafer-thin" to emphasize extreme thinness, such as "wafer-thin slices of meat".

Common error

Avoid using "wafer-thin" to describe complex concepts or emotions where a more nuanced adjective would be appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "his argument was wafer-thin", consider using "his argument was flimsy" or "unconvincing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wafer-thin" functions primarily as a qualifying adjective to describe the extreme thinness of something. As seen in Ludwig, this can apply literally to objects or metaphorically to concepts like a political majority or an argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Food

6%

Technology

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wafer-thin" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something exceptionally thin. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys a sense of extreme slenderness, both literally and metaphorically. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, with some presence in food and technology contexts. While alternatives like "paper-thin" or "razor-thin" exist, "wafer-thin" maintains its unique descriptive power, particularly when emphasizing the delicate nature of the thinness. When using "wafer-thin", be sure the context aligns with its primary function: highlighting minimal thickness or substance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paper-thin

Emphasizes the thinness by comparing it to paper.

razor-thin

Highlights the extreme sharpness and thinness, similar to a razor's edge.

tissue-thin

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

extremely thin

A more literal and straightforward way of expressing the same concept.

incredibly slim

Focuses on the narrowness and slenderness of an object.

barely there

Implies that something is so thin it's almost imperceptible.

ultra-fine

Suggests a very delicate and thin quality, often used for textures or particles.

gossamer

Describes something extremely light, delicate, and thin, like a spider's web.

slight

Indicates a minimal amount or degree of something, like a "slight" advantage.

meager

Describes something deficient in quantity or substance, often used for resources or portions.

FAQs

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

You can use "wafer-thin" to describe something that is extremely thin, such as "The new laptop has a "wafer-thin design"" or "She served "wafer-thin slices of prosciutto"".

What's a good substitute for "wafer-thin"?

Alternatives to "wafer-thin" include "paper-thin", "razor-thin", or "tissue-thin", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wafer-thin" only used for physical objects?

While commonly used for physical objects, "wafer-thin" can also be used metaphorically to describe something insubstantial or minimal, such as a "wafer-thin majority" in a vote.

How does the meaning of "wafer-thin" differ from "thin"?

"Thin" simply indicates a small thickness, while "wafer-thin" emphasizes an extreme degree of thinness, similar to the thinness of a wafer.