Spindly

Spindly describes something that is tall, thin, and often awkwardly long or weak in appearance. It frequently refers to limbs, plants, or structures where the proportions seem unbalanced, emphasizing excessive length combined with slightness of build. This characteristic implies a lack of robustness, suggesting vulnerability to bending or breaking under pressure. The term can also evoke a visual impression of frailty, fragility, or even a somewhat ungainly or etiolated appearance, similar to a plant starved of sunlight. Often, something described as spindly appears in contrast to what is considered sturdy or well-proportioned, drawing attention to its slender and elongated form. This can apply to physical objects or, by extension, to aspects of a person’s physique or even abstract concepts where weakness or a lack of substance is being conveyed.

Spindly meaning with examples

• The old oak tree, though weathered, stood strong, unlike the spindly saplings struggling to take root in the parched soil. Their slender branches, reaching for the scarce sunlight, gave them a vulnerable appearance. The contrast emphasized the resilience of the established tree against the delicate, almost ethereal forms of the young plants, highlighting the challenge of survival in that environment.
• She watched the dancer, whose movements were graceful despite her spindly arms and legs. Her physique gave her a unique ethereal quality and seemed to float with the music. She possessed an agility that was both impressive and somewhat surprising given her lean frame, demonstrating a delicate strength, creating a distinct and memorable performance.
• The dilapidated fence surrounding the garden was incredibly spindly; the thin, rotting wooden posts barely supported the weight of the wire. The structure seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment. It provided scant protection, appearing almost decorative in its fragility, failing to offer security against any real intrusion.
• The architect designed a modern skyscraper with a deceptively spindly frame, relying on advanced materials for support. The initial impression was of a building defying gravity; this spindly aesthetic gave the design an unexpected elegance, a striking contrast to the usual boxy forms of high-rise constructions, highlighting the ingenuity of its design.