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Definition of spindly

spindly

/ˈspɪndli/
spin · dly
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spindly Lexical Profile

spindly Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Long or tall and thin in a way that appears weak, fragile, or awkward (typically used of a person, limb, plant, or supporting structure).

Example

"The tomato seedlings grew tall and spindly because they were not receiving enough direct sunlight on the windowsill."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

spinach
spinal
spindle
spindly
spine
spinebill
spined

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century from the noun 'spindle' (from Old English 'spora' or 'spindel', a slender rod used in hand-spinning wool) plus the suffix '-y', literally meaning 'resembling a spindle'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spindly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spindly
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