What does skinniness mean?
Skinniness is a noun meaning the state or quality of being extremely thin, especially in reference to a person's body. It is closely related to the adjective “skinny,” from which it is formed, but it names a condition rather than directly describing someone. The word can also refer more broadly to the thin or meager appearance of an object, design, or part of the body. In ordinary conversation, “skinniness” is less frequent than “thinness” and may suggest that the degree of thinness is striking or unusually pronounced. Its tone can be blunt or potentially unkind when applied to people, making it more suitable for factual, descriptive, or analytical writing than for sensitive personal contexts. Overall, the word is useful when the condition itself, rather than a particular person or thing, is the focus of discussion.
nounThe condition or quality of being very thin, especially in terms of body shape. It can also refer to the quality of something having little flesh or substance.
- The condition or quality of being very thin, especially in terms of body shape.
"The photograph captured her skinniness in stark detail, with every contour visible."
"His skinniness made the oversized coat look as though it belonged to someone else."
"The article discusses the skinniness of the model's design without directly criticizing the designer."
Usually treated as a mass noun; the plural form is uncommon.
"The photographs explored different forms of skinninesses in the human figure."
Skinniness turns the familiar idea of being “skinny” into a noun, naming thinness as a condition or quality.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skinniness come from?
“Skinniness” was formed by adding the suffix “-ness” to the adjective “skinny,” creating a noun that names the quality of being skinny. “Skinny” itself derives from “skin,” with the suffix “-y,” a development associated with the idea of having little flesh. The family therefore traces back to the older English word “skin,” through a chain of English derivations.
Related word forms
How skinniness is actually used
The noun is less common than the adjective “skinny.” When used about a person's body, it can sound blunt or unkind, so neutral wording such as “thinness” may be preferable in sensitive contexts.
Easily confused with skinniness
Skinniness usually suggests extreme thinness, whereas thinness can describe any degree of being narrow or not bulky.