What does scrawny mean?
Scrawny describes something that is conspicuously thin, bony, or insufficiently fleshed. It is often used for people, animals, or vegetation that appear undernourished, but it can also carry a broader sense of spareness or meagreness, as in scrawny branches. In everyday speech, the term can sound unkind when used to describe a person's body, although it may be entirely neutral when referring to an animal or physical feature. Synonyms such as gaunt, lean, and skinny overlap with the word but differ in emphasis: gaunt often suggests emaciation, while skinny is more conversational. Scrawny is particularly useful when thinness appears unhealthy, inadequate, or striking rather than merely slender. It also functions descriptively in idiomatic and figurative contexts, suggesting a lack of abundance or robust growth.
adjectiveThin, lean, or bony, especially in a way that appears undernourished or lacking in flesh. It can also describe something sparse, meager, or scant.
- Thin, lean, or bony, especially to an extent suggesting poor nourishment.
- Sparse, meager, or scant, especially when describing vegetation or something resembling it.
"The shelter gave the scrawny dog a warm place to sleep and a generous meal."
"Several scrawny cats waited outside the restaurant for scraps."
"Only a few scrawny branches remained after the long winter."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scrawny come from?
Scrawny developed as a variant of the older spelling scranny, meaning thin, lean, or meager. The precise origin of scranny is uncertain, and detailed etymological claims about its development should be treated cautiously. Modern forms such as scrawnier, scrawniest, scrawnily, and scrawniness were subsequently formed according to the usual English patterns for comparatives, superlatives, adverbs, and nouns.
Related word forms
How scrawny is actually used
The adjective is commonly informal and often sounds somewhat critical when applied to a person. In its figurative or descriptive sense, it can convey meager growth, poor quality, or lack of abundance.