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Meaning & use

thinnest

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈθɪnɪst/
US/ˈθɪnɪst/

“thinnest” is a form of “thin”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Having the smallest distance between two opposite surfaces, compared with all the others being considered.

    Grammar: Superlative form, normally with the: the thinnest slice.

    Patterns

    • the thinnest of the group
    • the thinnest something

    This is the thinnest laptop the company has ever made.

    She cut the thinnest slices of ham for the sandwiches.

    Of the three blankets, the green one is the thinnest.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Having the least body fat or the narrowest build among a group of people or animals.

    Grammar: Superlative form, used with the for comparing people: the thinnest runner.

    Patterns

    • the thinnest person in something

    He was the thinnest boy in the class.

    The thinnest of the cats could squeeze through the gap.

    Of all the dancers, she looked the thinnest.

  3. adjectivecomparable

    Least thick in liquid or smoke, meaning most watery or least dense; also weakest or least convincing, as in an excuse.

    Grammar: Superlative form, used for things that are not solid: the thinnest soup.

    Patterns

    • the thinnest soup
    • the thinnest excuse

    The thinnest soup in the cafeteria was almost like water.

    Her excuse was the thinnest I have ever heard.

    The air is the thinnest at the top of the mountain.

Word forms

base formthin
comparativethinner
superlativethinnest

Common combinations

thinnest slice
The deli cut the thinnest slice of cheese.
thinnest layer
Apply the thinnest layer of paint first.
thinnest part
The ice is the thinnest part near the shore.
the thinnest of excuses
He gave the thinnest of excuses for being late.
thinnest on record
It was the thinnest phone on record.

Synonyms and how they differ

slimmest
Slimmest sounds more pleasant and is usually said of people or slim objects, whereas thinnest is more neutral and can sound unflattering for people.
slenderest
Slenderest suggests an elegant, graceful narrowness and is used mostly for people, fingers and shapes.
skinniest
Skinniest is informal and often implies unhealthily thin, so it is stronger than thinnest.
finest
Finest can mean the smallest in width of a fiber or line, but it also has a quality sense that thinnest lacks.

Opposites

thickestwidestfattest

Word family

thin adjective
not thick
thinner adjective
more thin
thinly adverb
in a thin layer or amount
thinness noun
the quality of being thin
thin verb
to make or become thinner

Commonly confused: thinnest or thinner?

thinnest vs thinner

Thinner compares two things, while thinnest compares three or more.

Practice

Of the four notebooks on the desk, the red one is the ______.

Make it your own

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