razor-thin

IPA/ˌreɪzə ˈθɪn/
IPA/ˌreɪzər ˈθɪn/

razor-thin — adjective

1. Extremely narrow or slight, describing a margin, difference, or lead that is bar

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Extremely narrow or slight, describing a margin, difference, or lead that is barely measurable and could easily change if circumstances shift even a little.

Example

Joon won the class president election by a razor-thin margin of just three votes.

collocation: razor-thin margin

The difference between the two candidates was razor-thin, with less than one percent separating them.

predicative use: be + razor-thin

Common collocations
  • razor-thin margin
  • razor-thin lead
  • razor-thin difference
  • razor-thin gap
Synonyms
  • paper-thin

    Can describe literal thinness of objects and figurative margins; less vivid in competitive contexts

  • extremely narrow

    More formal and literal; lacks the dramatic imagery of razor-thin

  • hairline

    Used for cracks or margins, but strongly associated with fractures rather than competitive leads

Antonyms
  • wide

    Opposite of narrow; a wide margin is the opposite of a razor-thin one

  • comfortable

    Describes a lead that is secure, the opposite of a precarious razor-thin lead

Grammar Patterns

be + razor-thin

razor-thin + noun

Usage Note

Always used figuratively — does not describe the literal thinness of an object. Most often collocates with margin, lead, difference, or gap. Common in politics, sports, and business contexts where outcomes are very close.

Common Mistakes

The paper is razor-thin.
The election was decided by a razor-thin margin.
The word is figurative and typically reserved for margins, gaps, or leads, not literal thinness.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Razor-thin, paper-thin, extremely narrow, and hairline all describe something very small or close, but they differ in domain and tone. Razor-thin is the most vivid and dramatic of the group; it dominates political and competitive contexts (a razor-thin margin, a razor-thin lead) and implies that the outcome could tip either way. Paper-thin is more versatile — it can describe literal thinness (paper-thin walls) as well as figurative closeness, but it sounds less intense. Extremely narrow is a neutral, formal option that works in technical or written contexts, but it lacks the memorable image of the compound adjectives. Hairline is almost exclusively used for cracks (hairline fracture) or, occasionally, margins (hairline margin), but it is far less common for competitive outcomes. For a close election or a tight business result, razor-thin carries the strongest sense of tension and near-loss.

paper-thinextremely narrowhairline ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • by a razor-thin margin

Prepositions

  • by a razor-thin margin

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

A compound adjective formed from razor (a sharp-bladed tool for shaving) and thin, describing something as fine or narrow as a razor's edge. The figurative use to describe a very close margin or difference became common in American political reporting during the mid-20th century and has since spread to sports and business coverage.