What does lanky mean?
Lanky is an adjective describing someone or something that is unusually thin, tall, and somewhat ungainly. It often evokes a person whose limbs seem especially long, such as a lanky teenager or a lanky, awkward-looking adult, though it can also apply to trees, buildings, and other elongated forms. The word frequently carries a mildly humorous or affectionate tone: it focuses on an unusual physical appearance rather than merely saying that someone is skinny. Lanky is common in everyday British and American English and can be used in both serious description and lighthearted conversation. Its usefulness lies in its ability to combine the ideas of height, thinness, and awkward proportions in a single word, making it especially apt for vivid portraits of people, animals, and objects.
adjectiveThin and tall, with a gangly or awkward appearance. “Lanky” can also describe something elongated or loosely built.
- Thin and tall, especially in an awkward or ungainly way.
- Long, thin, and loosely formed.
"He grew into a lanky teenager with long, gangly arms."
"The lanky boy in the blue shirt kept bending to talk to the smaller children."
"A lanky tree stood at the edge of the field, its branches exposed against the sky."
A lanky person may be all elbows and knees: the word captures that unmistakable silhouette of height without bulk.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lanky come from?
The adjective developed from the older word “lank,” which could mean thin, lean, or stretched out. “Lank” is an English word with roots in Middle English, and “lanky” became an English derivative formed with the familiar adjective suffix -y. The related noun “lankiness” follows the same productive pattern. The word is not normally linked to a prominent cognate in another language; its history is chiefly an English development from the older descriptive term “lank.”
Related word forms
How lanky is actually used
Usually mildly descriptive and sometimes humorous. It can sound affectionate when used about a person, but may imply awkwardness or lack of coordination. The word is common in both British and American English.
Easily confused with lanky
“Lanky” describes a thin, tall physical appearance, whereas “languid” describes a lack of energy or vitality.
“Lanky” refers to someone or something thin and tall, while “luminous” means giving off light or exceptionally bright.