Word
thinly
Phoneticsthin·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈθɪnɫi/
UK/θˈɪnli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that creates a very light or narrow layer. You use this to describe how something is spread, cut, or distributed.
adv. in a manner that results in a small thickness or a sparse distribution.
Examples
“She sliced the apples very thinly for the pie.”
“The butter was spread so thinly on the toast that you could barely taste it.”
“The author's true intentions were thinly disguised behind a layer of heavy metaphor, making the political critique obvious to any attentive reader.”
Examples
simple
“She sliced the apples very thinly for the pie.”
contextual
“The butter was spread so thinly on the toast that you could barely taste it.”
complex
“The author's true intentions were thinly disguised behind a layer of heavy metaphor, making the political critique obvious to any attentive reader.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb it modifies or the object of that verb.
Etymology
From Middle English þynnelich (“with thin material; thinly”); equivalent to thin + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/thinly