Gangliest: meaning, definitions and examples
🤷♂️
gangliest
[ ˈɡæŋɡliːst ]
describing a person
The term 'gangliest' is used to describe someone who appears awkwardly tall and thin. A gangly person often has long arms and legs that seem disproportionate to the rest of their body. This word conveys a sense of ungracefulness or clumsiness, particularly in movement. It is often used in a light-hearted or teasing manner to describe someone's physical appearance.
Synonyms
awkward, clumsy, lanky, spindly.
Examples of usage
- He looked gangliest during his teenage years.
- The gangly teenager tripped over his own feet.
- She was a gangly kid, all arms and legs.
Translations
Translations of the word "gangliest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais esquelético
🇮🇳 सबसे दुबला
🇩🇪 am dünnsten
🇮🇩 paling kurus
🇺🇦 найхудніший
🇵🇱 najchudszy
🇯🇵 最も痩せた
🇫🇷 le plus maigre
🇪🇸 el más flaco
🇹🇷 en zayıf
🇰🇷 가장 마른
🇸🇦 الأكثر نحافة
🇨🇿 nejhubenější
🇸🇰 najchudší
🇨🇳 最瘦的
🇸🇮 najtanjši
🇮🇸 þynnsti
🇰🇿 ең арық
🇬🇪 ყველაზე წვრილი
🇦🇿 ən arıq
🇲🇽 el más flaco
Etymology
The word 'gangly' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the Scottish word 'gangly', meaning 'to walk unsteadily or awkwardly'. It reflects a unique combination of traits - tallness and thinness - often associated with adolescence. The superlative form 'gangliest' indicates the highest degree of this awkwardness. Over time, the term has been used broadly in literature and conversation to describe individuals, often evoking imagery of youthful awkwardness. Its use has evolved, capturing not just physical attributes, but also elements of personality, such as shyness or endearing clumsiness. Although primarily descriptive, it also carries a cultural weight, echoing the experiences of many during their growth phases.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,838, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.