What does slimly mean?
Slimly is the adverb form of slim and means in a slender, narrow, or closely fitted manner. It is often used when describing how clothing is cut, how a person is built, or how an object has been designed: a garment may be “slimly tailored,” while a figure may be “slimly drawn.” The adverb also has a less obvious second use meaning to a slight extent or by the narrowest margin. In formal English, a proposal might be described as “slimly possible,” meaning that it is only just possible, while evidence can be “slimly supported,” meaning that it is based on limited facts. These uses make slimly useful not only for describing appearance and shape but also for expressing minimal possibility, support, or certainty.
adverbIn a slim or slender manner. It can also mean only slightly or to a very small extent.
- In a slim, slender, or narrowly fashioned manner.
- To a slight extent or by only a very small margin.
"The coat was cut slimly, with narrow lapels and a closely fitted waist."
"The tailor recut the trousers so that they fell more slimly."
"Success was slimly possible, but the team continued to work together."
Slimly can describe an elegant, slender shape or signal that something is barely possible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slimly come from?
Slimly was formed in English by adding the adverb-forming suffix -ly to the adjective slim. The exact origin of the English adjective is uncertain, although it has historical similarities with slim words in other Germanic languages. Its modern use extends from describing a narrow or slender physical form to expressing small margins or limited degrees of probability.
Related word forms
How slimly is actually used
The phrase “slimly possible” is formal and means only just possible. In other uses, the adverb may describe a person's build, an object's shape, or the manner in which something is fitted or designed.