Thinner

ˈθɪnər

adjectiveBeginnerCommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

More slender than something else.

ˈθɪnər

adjectiveneutralBeginner
General

Comparative form of the adjective 'thin'

The paper is thinner than the cardboard.

💡 Simply: Imagine you have two slices of cake. One is big and one is small. The smaller one is thinner!

👶 For kids: When something is less wide than something else.

More Examples

2

He became thinner after running every day.

3

The air is thinner at high altitudes.

How It's Used

General Usage

"She wanted a thinner slice of bread."

Health & Diet

"He's looking thinner since he started exercising."

2

A solvent used to reduce the viscosity of paint or other liquids.

ˈθɪnər

nounneutralmedium
General

A substance used to reduce the viscosity of a liquid.

She used a thinner to clean the paintbrushes.

💡 Simply: It's like adding water to paint to make it flow better, but it's a special liquid just for that!

👶 For kids: Something that makes a liquid like paint less thick.

More Examples

2

The paint needed a bit of thinner to achieve the right consistency.

3

Always use thinner in a well-ventilated area.

How It's Used

Painting

"Add a little thinner to the paint to make it easier to apply."

Automotive

"Use a paint thinner to clean off spills."

Tip:It helps make things less dense and easier to spread, like paint.

From Old English *þynnre*, comparative of *þynne* ('thin').

Used since Old English, reflecting the inherent need to describe degrees of thinness.

Memory tip

Think of a 'thin' slice that's even 'er' (thinner) compared to others.

thiner

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written