Gaunt Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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gaunt

[ɡɔːnt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

looking thin and bony

Gaunt is used to describe someone who looks very thin, usually because they are ill, tired, or have suffered a lot. This word is often used to describe a person's appearance when they are extremely skinny and have a hollow look in their face.

Synonyms

emaciated, haggard, thin, wasted.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gaunt	Often used to describe someone who looks very thin and weak, typically because of illness, hunger, or old age. It emphasizes a sharpness or bony appearance. After months in the hospital, he appeared gaunt and frail. The once vibrant woman now had a gaunt figure that spoke of hard times.
emaciated	This term is typically used in medical or serious contexts to describe someone who is extremely thin due to severe malnutrition or illness. It has a strong negative connotation. The refugees were emaciated from weeks of no food. The animal rescue team found several emaciated dogs in the abandoned house.
haggard	Best used to describe someone who looks tired, worn out, or exhausted, often because of stress, lack of sleep, or suffering. It usually refers more to facial appearance rather than the body. He appeared haggard after working double shifts for an entire week. Her haggard eyes and unkempt hair hinted at the stress she had been under.
thin	A neutral term that simply describes someone or something with less thickness or being slender. It can refer to body weight, objects, or even consistency of a substance. She looked healthy and thin after her months of working out. The walls were so thin we could hear our neighbors talking.
wasted	This word can have a negative connotation when describing a person, indicating severe physical decline due to disease, lack of nutrition, or substance abuse. It is also used informally to describe someone who is extremely drunk. He looked wasted after battling with the disease for several months. After the party, he was so wasted he couldn't even stand up.

Examples of usage

Her gaunt appearance indicated that she had not been eating well.
The gaunt figure of the old man shuffled down the street.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

desolate and barren

Gaunt can also be used to describe a place that looks bleak, desolate, and barren. It is often used to depict a landscape that is harsh, empty, and devoid of life or vegetation.

Synonyms

barren, bleak, desolate, sparse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gaunt	Usually used to describe someone extremely thin and unhealthy, often due to illness or starvation. The prisoner looked gaunt after weeks of malnutrition. Her face was gaunt and her eyes sunken.
barren	Typically used to describe land where nothing can grow, or sometimes used metaphorically for efforts that produce no results. The desert was a barren landscape of sand and rocks. Despite years of effort, their project was ultimately barren.
bleak	Often describes situations, landscapes, or prospects that are depressing, cold, and hopeless. The future seemed bleak after the company declared bankruptcy. The bleak weather made the mood even more somber.
desolate	Used to describe places that are empty, abandoned, and lacking life. Can also describe feelings of loneliness. The desolate town had been abandoned for years. He felt desolate after the loss of his family.
sparse	Describes something that is spread out thinly or not dense, such as vegetation or population. The vegetation was sparse in the high-altitude region. The rural area's population was quite sparse compared to the city.

Examples of usage

The gaunt cliffs stood tall against the stormy sky.
The gaunt desert stretched endlessly before us.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'gaunt'

The word 'gaunt' originated from Middle English in the late 14th century, derived from the Old French word 'gant', meaning 'loose, not fitting'. Over time, its meaning evolved to describe a thin and bony appearance, both in reference to people and landscapes. The word has been used in literature and everyday language to depict a sense of emptiness, desolation, and hardship.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,525, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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18522 stupor
18523 elated
18524 invert
18525 gaunt
18526 padding
18527 orientated
18528 melon
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