slender
gb/slˈɛndɚ/ us/slˈɛndɚ/
B1
English
~ 3200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
thin in an attractive way
Thin in a nice and graceful way.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is slender
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'slender' with 'skinny'; 'skinny' can sound negative or unhealthy, while 'slender' is usually positive.
Synonyms
slim (Very close in meaning, but 'slim' is slightly more common and casual.)
Antonyms
bulky (Describes something large and heavy, opposite of thin and graceful.)
Collocations
slender figure
|slender waist
|slender neck
|slender body
Themes
appearance
|physical_description
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She had a slender figure that turned heads.
- The model wore a dress that showed her slender waist.
- A slender neck supports the bird’s small head.
- His slender hands moved quickly over the piano keys.
Learner examples
- She is slender and tall.
- The cat has a slender body.
- He has slender fingers.
- The tree has a slender trunk.
adjective
B1
property
2
narrow in proportion to length
Long and thin; not wide.
Usage pattern:
[something] is slender
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'slender' with 'thin' without realizing 'slender' often implies gracefulness or elegance.
Synonyms
narrow ('Narrow' is more general; 'slender' often suggests elegance or delicacy.)
Antonyms
thick (Describes something with a large width or diameter.)
Collocations
slender stem
|slender branch
|slender tower
Themes
physical_description
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The plant had a slender stem that swayed in the wind.
- A slender bridge connected the two cliffs.
- Several slender columns supported the roof.
Learner examples
- The flower has a slender stem.
- We walked on a slender path.
- The building has slender pillars.
adjective
B2
property
3
small or limited amount
Small or not much in amount or size.
Usage pattern:
a slender [chance/majority/amount]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'slender' here is figurative, not about physical shape.
Synonyms
slight ('Slight' is more common; both mean small in degree.)
Antonyms
substantial (Describes something large or significant in amount.)
Collocations
slender chance
|slender majority
|slender margin
Themes
measurement
|probability
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There’s only a slender chance of winning the game.
- He won by a slender majority of votes.
- The company survived on a slender profit margin.
Learner examples
- We have a slender chance to win.
- She has a slender hope of passing.
- He won by a slender margin.
Grammar
Dictionary form
slender
IPA
GB/slˈɛndɚ/
US/slˈɛndɚ/
Syllables & stress
slender (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (slender)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: slender
- Comparative: slenderer
- Superlative: slenderest
Word family
Expressions
a slender chance
1/ə slˈɛndɚ t͡ʃˈæns/
fixed phrase
very small possibility
A very small possibility that something will happen.
Examples
- There’s only a slender chance we’ll arrive on time.
- He has a slender chance of winning the lottery.
by a slender margin
1/bˈaɪ ə slˈɛndɚ mˈɑɹd͡ʒən/
fixed phrase
win by a small difference
To win or succeed by only a very small amount.
Examples
- The team won the championship by a slender margin.
- She passed the exam by a slender margin.