Scrawniest: meaning, definitions and examples
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scrawniest
[ ˈskrɔːn.i.ɪst ]
physical appearance
Scrawniest refers to someone who is extremely thin or emaciated, often to the point of appearing unhealthy. It describes a lack of body mass or muscle and can convey an impression of fragility. This term is often used informally and can carry a negative connotation. People might use it to describe someone who seems undernourished or has a lanky build.
Synonyms
emaciated, lean, slight, spindly, thin.
Examples of usage
- He's the scrawniest kid in the class.
- After the illness, she looked even scrawnier.
- The scrawniest kitten struggled to keep up with its siblings.
Translations
Translations of the word "scrawniest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 magríssimo
🇮🇳 अत्यधिक दुबला
🇩🇪 dünnster
🇮🇩 paling kurus
🇺🇦 найхудніший
🇵🇱 najszczuplejszy
🇯🇵 最も痩せた
🇫🇷 le plus maigre
🇪🇸 el más flaco
🇹🇷 en zayıf
🇰🇷 가장 마른
🇸🇦 الأكثر نحافة
🇨🇿 nejhubenější
🇸🇰 najchudší
🇨🇳 最瘦的
🇸🇮 najhujši
🇮🇸 þynnsti
🇰🇿 ең арық
🇬🇪 ყველაზე წვრილი
🇦🇿 ən arıq
🇲🇽 el más flaco
Etymology
The word 'scrawny' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the adjective 'scrawn', which means 'thin' or 'lean'. The term is likely related to the Old English 'scrāwen', which means 'to scratch'. This relation hints at a sense of frailty or weakness, evoking images of something that has been worn or abused. Over time, 'scrawny' evolved into a more specific descriptor for individuals who appear excessively thin. The suffix '-iest' is added to form the superlative, denoting the extreme degree of being scrawny. While initially used to describe animals or objects, the term began to increasingly describe human beings, often in a more derogatory or dismissive context.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,209, 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.