What does spindly mean?
Spindly means very thin and elongated, often with an accompanying suggestion of weakness or fragility. A person may be described as spindly because of their narrow build, while a plant, tree, or piece of furniture can be spindly when it is tall, slight, and easily damaged. The adjective can also have a figurative meaning: a spindly argument or theory is not firmly supported, and a spindly structure is poorly developed or dangerously weak. Its image is strongly visual and often slightly exaggerated, making it particularly effective in descriptive writing. Although it is usually a neutral observation about physical appearance, it can sound somewhat disparaging when used about people, especially if it implies frailty rather than merely slenderness. Spindly is used in both formal and informal contexts in British and American English, though it has a somewhat literary flavor compared with words such as thin or skinny.
adjectiveVery thin and elongated, especially in a way that suggests fragility or weakness.
- Very thin, narrow, and elongated, especially in appearance.
- Weak, feeble, or seemingly fragile.
- Sparse, slight, or insufficient in structure or development.
"The old dog stood on the porch, its spindly legs trembling in the cold."
"A group of spindly saplings had grown along the edge of the field."
"The proposal rests on a spindly argument that leaves out the most important evidence."
Spindly began with a simple image: a body shaped like a spindle, long, narrow, and seemingly easy to break.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spindly come from?
Spindly appeared in English in the early 17th century, formed from spindle with the suffix -y. Its original sense was “like a spindle,” emphasizing a long, narrow shape. The word later developed its modern associations with thinness, weakness, and fragility; related English forms include spindling and spindler.
Related word forms
How spindly is actually used
The word is standard in both British and American English. It is especially common in descriptive and literary writing, and it can sound mildly critical when applied to a person's body or abilities. It can also be used figuratively for something weak, sparse, or lacking solid support.