What does thinness mean?
Thinness is the noun form of thin and denotes the quality of having little thickness, width, or mass. It is commonly used for physical objects and materials, as in references to the thinness of paper, glass, clothing, or the air. When applied to people, it usually means slenderness rather than poor health, although context can make that interpretation uncertain. Figuratively, thinness describes something that lacks depth, substance, or convincing support, especially an argument, theory, or piece of evidence. This use often carries a critical implication: a thin explanation may be too limited to account for the facts. The word is useful because it names a precise quality that can be either neutral and descriptive, as in a discussion of materials, or evaluative, as in criticism of an unsupported claim.
nounThinness is the quality or degree of being thin, especially in an object, material, or person. By extension, it can refer to a lack of substance, depth, or convincing support.
- The quality or degree of being thin in physical size, shape, or material.
- A lack of substance, depth, or convincing support, as in a thin argument.
"The thinness of the paper made it difficult to handle without tearing."
"The thinness of the morning air made the distant hills look surprisingly clear."
"The critic dismissed the proposal because of the thinness of its evidence."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; thinness is ordinarily used as a mass or abstract noun.
"The exhibit compares the subtle thinnesses of several glass panels."
Thinness can describe both the slenderness of a person and the lack of substance in an argument, showing that ‘thin’ can be physical or intellectual.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thinness come from?
Thinness was formed in English by adding the suffix -ness to thin, creating an abstract noun that expresses the quality of being thin. Thin itself descends from Old English þynne, an inherited Germanic word with related forms in other Germanic languages. The suffix -ness is also Old English in origin and had long been used in English to form nouns denoting qualities, states, or conditions.
How thinness is actually used
Usually neutral and factual. In figurative use, thinness often suggests weakness, lack of substance, or insufficient support, and can carry a critical tone.
Easily confused with thinness
Thin is an adjective or noun describing something slender or of reduced thickness, whereas thinness is the noun for the quality of being thin.