Slim

/slɪm/

adjectiveBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Having a narrow or slender form; thin.

/slɪm/

adjectivepositiveBeginner
General

Thin in a graceful way.

She looked elegant in her slim, black dress.

💡 Simply: Being thin and graceful! Imagine a ballerina, very slim and agile.

👶 For kids: When something is skinny in a pretty way.

More Examples

2

He managed to get a slim advantage.

3

The company's slim profits barely covered their expenses.

4

The walls of the tower are quite slim.

How It's Used

Fashion

"The model had a slim figure that showcased the designer's clothes."

Health

"A healthy diet and exercise can help you maintain a slim physique."

2

To become or cause to become thinner or less.

/slɪm/

verbneutralmedium
Business

To make something less in size or amount.

The company decided to slim down its operations by closing several branches.

💡 Simply: To make something smaller. Like if you slim down your budget, you're spending less money.

👶 For kids: To make something smaller or thinner, like when you eat less.

More Examples

2

She is working out to slim down.

How It's Used

Business

"The company had to slim down its workforce to reduce costs."

Dieting

"She is trying to slim down by eating less."

Tip:Imagine trimming off excess fat to slim down.
3

Small in amount or degree; meager.

/slɪm/

adjectiveneutralmedium
General

Small; not much.

There's a slim chance that the project will be completed on time.

💡 Simply: When something is just a little bit, not a lot. If you have a slim chance of winning the lottery, you probably won't win!

👶 For kids: When there's only a little bit of something.

More Examples

2

They had a slim hope of finding survivors.

3

The profit margin was very slim.

How It's Used

General

"The odds of success are slim."

Probability

"There's a slim chance of rain."

Tip:Think of a slim chance - not a big one.

Idioms & expressions

slim chance

A small or unlikely possibility.

"There's a slim chance we'll make it on time."

From Middle English *slim*, *slimme*, likely related to Old English *slīp* (slippery).

The word 'slim' appeared in Middle English with the primary meaning of 'slender' or 'thin'.

Memory tip

Think of a slip of paper - slim and thin.

slimmslimsslimmest

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written