Thinnest: meaning, definitions and examples

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thinnest

 

[ θɪnəst ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

degree of thinness

Thinnest refers to the superlative form of thin, describing something that has the least thickness compared to others in a group. It can pertain to physical objects such as sheets of paper or fabrics, as well as metaphoric uses regarding abstract concepts like arguments or plans. In contexts such as cooking, 'thinnest' might describe the most delicate slice of food. The term emphasizes extreme lightness or lack of substance.

Synonyms

lean, narrowest, skinny, slight, slimmest

Examples of usage

  • She wore the thinnest layer of fabric to keep cool in the summer.
  • The thinnest book on the shelf caught his eye.
  • He sliced the cucumber into the thinnest rounds for the salad.

Translations

Translations of the word "thinnest" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mais fino

🇮🇳 सबसे पतला

🇩🇪 dünnste

🇮🇩 tertipis

🇺🇦 найтонший

🇵🇱 najcieńszy

🇯🇵 最も薄い

🇫🇷 le plus mince

🇪🇸 el más delgado

🇹🇷 en ince

🇰🇷 가장 얇은

🇸🇦 الأكثر نحافة

🇨🇿 nejtenčí

🇸🇰 najtenší

🇨🇳 最薄的

🇸🇮 najtanjši

🇮🇸 þynnsta

🇰🇿 ең жұқа

🇬🇪 ყველაზე თხელ

🇦🇿 ən nazik

🇲🇽 el más delgado

Etymology

The word 'thin' comes from the Old English 'þynne', which is related to the Proto-Germanic *þinaz, indicating a reduced or small size. The comparative and superlative forms, thinner and thinnest, evolved to express relative thinness among different subjects or items. In English usage, these forms appeared around the 14th century. The linguistic evolution reflects changes in societal standards of beauty, health, and practicality, especially concerning clothing and lifestyle choices. The term has since broadened to encapsulate arts and humanities, often used to describe works that exhibit a sparse or limited quality. The nuance of 'thinnest' emphasizes maximally reduced forms or dimensions, showcasing how language adjusts to cultural context.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,666, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.