spindly
adjective
spin·dly
ˈspin(d)-lē 
ˈspin-dᵊl-ē
spindlier; spindliest
1
: of a disproportionately tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
spindly legs
2
: frail or flimsy in appearance or structure
a spindly tower
Examples of spindly in a Sentence
spindly, underfed dogs roamed the poverty-stricken village
Recent Examples on the Web
Tomatoes stressed by lack of sunlight have spindly, weak stems and minimal fruit.
—
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2025
Grand Tours cater to spindly, ultralight cyclists who can ascend 3,000-foot mountain passes for days on end.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2025
Okay, okay — even though my spindly frame and past-his-prime age both immediately disqualify me from membership in this band of bodacious biceps, I am intrigued.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The eyes in the sky gazed down on a copse of spindly trees in western Russia, hooking onto where North Korean forces were coalescing, a Ukrainian special operations forces commander, who is being identified only by his call sign, Green, told Newsweek.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spindly
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Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2025
Grand Tours cater to spindly, ultralight cyclists who can ascend 3,000-foot mountain passes for days on end.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 2 Apr. 2025
Okay, okay — even though my spindly frame and past-his-prime age both immediately disqualify me from membership in this band of bodacious biceps, I am intrigued.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The eyes in the sky gazed down on a copse of spindly trees in western Russia, hooking onto where North Korean forces were coalescing, a Ukrainian special operations forces commander, who is being identified only by his call sign, Green, told Newsweek.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spindly
Cite this Entry
“Spindly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spindly. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
spindly
adjective
spin·dly
ˈspin-(d)lē
-dᵊl-ē
spindlier; spindliest
: of a tall or long and thin appearance that often suggests physical weakness
spindly legs
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