Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality or state of being attractively thin and graceful: This refers to the physical property of having a thin, often elegant, build.
   • The quality of having a small width or circumference relative to length: This describes the physical dimension of something long and thin.
   • The quality of being slight, weak, or inadequate: This refers to a lack of substantialness, strength, or sufficiency in a non-physical sense.

Examples of Usage

• Referring to physical thinness:
  • The slenderness of the model was emphasized by the designer's gown.
  • He admired her natural slenderness.
• Referring to a thin physical dimension:
  • The slenderness of the needle made it perfect for delicate embroidery.
  • The bridge's design relied on the slenderness of its supporting cables.
• Referring to inadequacy or slightness:
  • The slenderness of our resources forced us to be very creative.
  • Given the slenderness of the evidence, the case was dismissed.

Advanced Usage

• "The slenderness of the margin": Used to describe a very small difference or a narrow amount by which something is achieved.
  • The candidate won by the slenderness of a margin, just a few dozen votes.
• "The slenderness of the hope": Describes a hope that is very faint or unlikely.
  • We clung to the slenderness of the hope that they might still be alive.

Variants and Related Words

• Slender (adj): Thin in an attractive way; small in amount or degree.
  • She has a slender figure.
  • There is a slender chance of success.
• Slenderize (verb, less common): To make or become slender.
  • The dress is designed to slenderize the wearer.

Synonyms

• Thinness: The state of being thin. (More neutral; lacks the connotation of attractiveness often found in 'slenderness'.)
• Tenuity: The quality of being tenuous; lack of substance or strength. (More formal, often used for abstract concepts like arguments or gases.)
• Inadequacy: The state of being insufficient.
• Slightness: Smallness in degree or intensity.

Antonyms

• Stoutness: The quality of being sturdy and thick in build.
• Thickness: The distance between opposite sides of something.
• Abundance: A very large quantity of something.
• Substantiality: The quality of being substantial, strong, or ample.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "A slender reed": A person or thing that is too weak to provide reliable support. (Idiomatic)
  • You're leaning on a slender reed if you trust him with such an important secret.
• "Slender means": Having very little money or few resources.
  • They lived on slender means but were very happy.

Noun

1. the property of an attractively thin person
2. relatively small dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width
   • the tenuity of a hair
   • the thinness of a rope
3. the quality of being slight or inadequate
   • he knew the slenderness of my wallet
   • the slenderness of the chances that anything would be done
   • the slenderness of the evidence