Slim vs. Skinny — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
Slim refers to a slender, gracefully thin figure, often implying fitness. Skinny, on the other hand, suggests a lack of body fat and sometimes muscle, often hinting at frailty or undernourishment.
Difference Between Slim and Skinny
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Slim generally refers to a figure that is narrow and slender in an attractive, healthy way. It suggests a leanness that comes from good health and regular exercise. Skinny, however, tends to imply a more extreme thinness that can be due to a lack of fat, or muscle, or both, and often suggests frailty or even undernourishment.
Both slim and skinny are often used to describe a person's physique, but the context in which they are used can significantly change their connotation. Slim is more frequently seen as a compliment, denoting physical fitness and a well-proportioned body. Skinny, meanwhile, might be used either in a neutral context or potentially as a critique of someone who appears too thin.
In the fashion industry, "slim fit" refers to clothing that is designed to fit closely to the body, highlighting a slender physique without being overly tight. "Skinny fit," however, suggests clothing that clings very tightly to the body, emphasizing the thinness and perhaps even the bones of the wearer.
Slim and skinny are also terms that can be applied to objects, not just humans. For instance, one might describe a mobile phone as slim, meaning it's elegantly thin and perhaps even powerful. The term skinny could be applied to a latte, indicating that it's made with skim milk and has fewer calories.
Comparison Chart
Connotation
Positive or Neutral
Neutral or Negative
ADVERTISEMENT
Implies Health
Often Yes
Often No
Usage in Fashion
"Slim fit"
"Skinny fit"
Applied to Objects
Yes
Less Commonly
Relation to Fitness
May imply fitness
Doesn't imply fitness
Compare with Definitions
Slim
Gracefully thin and well-proportioned.
She has a slim figure thanks to regular exercise.
Skinny
Thin and bony.
The cat was skinny with visible ribs.
Slim
Small in amount or degree.
There's only a slim chance of rain today.
Skinny
Lacking in substance or depth.
The report was skinny on details.
Slim
Elegantly slender.
The slim vase was perfect for a single rose.
Skinny
Very thin, potentially to the point of frailty.
He was skinny and looked like he needed a good meal.
Slim
Minimally designed or thin in form.
The slim phone was powerful yet easy to carry.
Skinny
Narrow or limited in scope.
The room was skinny and couldn't fit many people.
Slim
(of a person or their build) gracefully thin; slender
Her slim figure
The girls were tall and slim
Skinny
Having very little bodily flesh or fat, often unattractively so; very thin.
Slim
(of something abstract, especially a chance or margin) very small
There was just a slim chance of success
A slim majority of sixteen
Skinny
(informal) thin, generally in a negative sense (as opposed to slim, which is thin in a positive sense).
Her recent weight loss has made her look rather skinny than slender
Slim
Crafty, sly, or unscrupulous.
Skinny
Having reduced fat or calories.
Slim
Make oneself thinner, especially by dieting
If he's overweight, he should slim
Skinny
Naked; nude (chiefly used in the phrase skinny dipping).
Slim
A course or period of slimming
A sponsored slim
Skinny
(of clothing) tight-fitting
Skinny jeans
Slim
A term used in parts of Africa to refer to AIDS.
Skinny
(golf) thin
Slim
Small in girth or thickness in proportion to height or length; slender.
Skinny
(colloquial) The details or facts; especially, those obtained by gossip or rumor.
She called to get the skinny on the latest goings-on in the club.
Slim
Small in quantity or amount; meager
Slim chances of success.
Skinny
A state of nakedness; nudity.
Slim
To become or make slim.
Skinny
(informal) A low-fat serving of coffee.
Slim
To lose or cause to lose weight, as by dieting or exercise.
Skinny
(nonstandard) A skinny being.
Slim
Slender, thin.
Skinny
(transitive) To reduce or cut down.
Slim
(of a person or a person's build) Slender in an attractive way.
Movie stars are usually slim, attractive, and young.
Skinny
Consisting, or chiefly consisting, of skin; wanting flesh.
He holds him with a skinny hand.
Slim
Designed to make the wearer appear slim.
Skinny
Confidential information about a topic or person;
He wanted the inside skinny on the new partner
Slim
(of an object) Long and narrow.
Skinny
Having unattractive thinness;
A child with skinny freckled legs
A long scrawny neck
Slim
(of a workforce) Of a reduced size, with the intent of being more efficient.
Skinny
Made with skim milk.
I ordered a skinny latte from the cafe.
Slim
(of something abstract like a chance or margin) Very small, tiny.
I'm afraid your chances are quite slim.
Slim
Bad, of questionable quality; not strongly built, flimsy.
Slim
Sly, crafty.
Slim
A type of cigarette substantially longer and thinner than normal cigarettes.
I only smoke slims.
Slim
A potato farl.
Slim
AIDS, or the chronic wasting associated with its later stages.
Slim
Cocaine.
Slim
(intransitive) To lose weight in order to achieve slimness.
Slim
(transitive) To make slimmer; to reduce in size.
Slim
Worthless; bad.
Slim
Weak; slight; unsubstantial; poor; as, a slim argument.
Slim
Of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height or length; slender; as, a slim person; a slim tree.
Slim
Take off weight
Slim
Being of delicate or slender build;
She was slender as a willow shoot is slender
A slim girl with straight blonde hair
Watched her slight figure cross the street
Slim
Small in quantity;
Slender wages
A slim chance of winning
A small surplus
Slim
Narrow in width or diameter.
The slim book easily fit into my backpack.
Common Curiosities
What does Slim mean?
Slim refers to a slender and well-proportioned figure.
Is Slim a compliment?
Slim is often seen as a compliment, implying attractiveness and health.
What does Skinny mean?
Skinny implies extreme thinness, sometimes to the point of frailty.
Can objects be described as Slim?
Yes, objects like phones can be described as slim.
Is Skinny a compliment?
Skinny can be neutral or negative, often implying a lack of health.
How is Slim used in fashion?
In fashion, "slim fit" describes clothing that fits closely but comfortably.
Is Skinny always related to physical appearance?
Usually, but it can also describe something lacking in substance.
Can Slim and Skinny be used interchangeably?
While similar, they are not completely interchangeable due to different connotations.
How is Skinny used in fashion?
"Skinny fit" describes clothing that fits very tightly.
Do Slim and Skinny relate to health?
Slim often does; skinny usually does not.
Can objects be described as Skinny?
Less commonly, but terms like "skinny latte" do exist.
Can Slim imply fitness?
Yes, slim often implies physical fitness.
Which term is broader, Slim or Skinny?
Slim is broader, as it can imply health and can apply to more contexts.
Is Slim always related to physical appearance?
Most often, but it can also refer to chances or amounts.
Can Skinny imply fitness?
No, skinny doesn't usually imply fitness.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Entice vs. Tempt
Next Comparison
Apparel vs. AttireAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
