thin

Definition

  • verb: to make (something or someone) thin or thinner or to become thin or thinner
  • verb: to make thin or 'thinner'
  • adjective: having a small distance between the top and bottom or front and back surfaces
  • adjective: having little extent from one surface to its opposite
  • usually + 'down'
  • synonyms: rare, slim, slender

Examples

  • He plans to 'thin' (out) the young carrots in the garden. [=to remove some of them so that there is more room between the remaining carrots]

  • His hair is a little 'thin' on top. = He's a little 'thin' on top. [=he does not have a lot of hair on the top of his head]

  • The bank's decision to raise rates could be 'the thin end of the wedge'. [=many other banks may also decide to raise rates]

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Sauron's forces are massing in the East. His Eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Saruman,you tell me,has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin. His treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul craft,Saruman has crossed Orcs with Goblin-men. He's breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. (..)
    2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
  • (..) The woods,the fields. Little rivers. I am old,Gandalf. I know I don't look it,but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart. I feel thin. Sort of stretched... ...like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday. A very long holiday. And I don't expect I shall return. In fact,I mean not to. (..)
    2001 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring