What does leggy mean?
In everyday English, “leggy” describes someone with notably long legs, especially legs regarded as shapely or attractive. The adjective is commonly applied to women and girls in informal contexts, as in “a leggy brunette,” and can also describe clothing that emphasizes or reveals the length of the wearer’s legs. Its connotations are generally complimentary, although the word may sound old-fashioned or objectifying in some settings. By extension, “leggy” can describe furniture with long, narrow legs, such as a stylish side table. The standard spelling has two g’s because the base word “leg” ends in g. Though relatively simple in meaning, “leggy” remains useful because it conveys not merely length but also the visual effect of elongated, shapely legs.
adjectiveHaving conspicuously long legs; in informal use, describing a person or garment with long, shapely, attractive legs.
- Having long, shapely, or attractive legs.
- Describing an object or piece of furniture with long legs.
"The dancer moved across the stage with a graceful, leggy stride."
"She was leggy and poised, and the silk suit suited her perfectly."
"They chose a leggy, mid-century side table for the narrow sitting room."
Say “leggy” and vintage screen glamour appears: long, elegant legs distilled into one buoyant syllable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does leggy come from?
“Leggy” was formed in English in the early 20th century from “leg” and the suffix “-y,” following a productive pattern for forming adjectives that describe a characteristic. “Leg” itself comes from Old Norse “leggr,” an Old Norse word for a limb or lower part of the body. Related English forms include “legging” and “leggings,” which preserve the same base and evoke long or leg-covering garments.
Related word forms
How leggy is actually used
The word is informal and is often used admiringly of women or girls, though it can sound dated or overly focusing on physical appearance. Applied to furniture, it simply means having long legs.