Having little distance between opposite sides; not thick. It can also mean not dense or not crowded, like thin hair or a thin crowd.
From Old English 'þynne' meaning 'not thick, sparse.' It shares roots with German 'dünn' and Dutch 'dun,' all meaning 'thin.' The basic contrast between 'thick' and 'thin' is ancient in Germanic languages.
Thin and thick form one of those basic word pairs that children learn very early, almost like hot/cold or big/small. Because it's so basic, 'thin' gets borrowed into many metaphors: thin ice, thin excuses, a thin voice. One simple idea stretches across physical shape, sound, and even honesty.
Thinness has been idealized in many modern societies, especially for women, through fashion, media, and medical discourse, often tied to moral judgments about discipline and attractiveness. This has contributed to eating disorders and body shaming, disproportionately affecting women and girls.
Use 'thin' descriptively and neutrally when necessary, avoiding value judgments that equate thinness with beauty, health, or virtue. Be cautious discussing body size; prioritize consent, context, and neutral medical or factual framing.
["slim (if self-described)","narrow","fine","delicate (for objects)"]
Body-neutral and fat-liberation movements—often led by women and nonbinary activists—have challenged thinness as the default ideal, emphasizing health, autonomy, and respect across body sizes.
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