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lank

lank

1 7.4
Long, thin, and limp, often about hair or a person's body
  • adjective
  • /læŋk/
translation icon : lacio
  • His hair, though still full, was lank and lifeless.
  • lank hair
  • long and lank

Examples

  • Her brown hair was lank and greasy.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The long brown hair was lank and needed brushing.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • - Was her hair thick or lank?

  • His black hair and beard were long and lank.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • His hair was lank and oily.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The lovely dark hair that had once drifted like a cloud around her ivory princess's face was lank and thin.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "This is Mike," she gestured vaguely to the beanpole, who, now that I was seated, seemed even longer and lankier.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • His dark, lank hair trailed over Joze's forearm, hair wet with sweat and to which small bits of old leaves clung.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • My face seemed too round, and my hair too lank.

  • The long brown hair was lank and needed brushing.

Synonyms

limp
vslank
64 2.8

Not firm or strong and with little energy

adds a long thin shape and lack of stiffness rather than general weakness
flaccid
vslank
14 7.3

Soft and limp, without firmness or strength

adds a long thin appearance rather than only muscle weakness
spindly
vslank
11 6.2

Long, thin, and looking weak, often said about plants or people

focuses on lacking stiffness in hair or limbs rather than only fragile shape
limpy
vslank
7.9

Weak and not convincing, for example an excuse or performance

refers to long thin hanging quality in hair or limbs not figurative weakness

Antonyms

76 2.1

Strong and solid so it does not break easily

49 2.8

Having strong, well-developed muscles

How Thin

gaunt
9 7.3
skinny
298 1.3
lank
1 7.4
slender
57 1.4

Surface Forms

lank positive
lanker comparative
lankest superlative

Etymology

Lank comes from an old word meaning 'long', the same idea as long. Think of long, limp hair or a thin, loose arm hanging down — that image explains why lank means 'long, thin, and limp'.