thinly

IPA/ˈθɪnli/
KK[θˈɪnli]IPA/ˈθɪnli/

thinly — adverb

1. Describing an action such as spreading, slicing, or applying that gives a very f

1.adverbB1
Definition

Describing an action such as spreading, slicing, or applying that gives a very fine layer or a very narrow piece — for instance, butter spread so thin you can see the bread, or a vegetable cut into see-through rounds.

Example

Léa spread the butter thinly across each slice of bread before adding the jam.

thinly spread — applying a thin layer

Asher sliced the cucumber so thinly that the pieces let light through.

thinly sliced — cutting to minimal thickness

Common collocations
  • thinly spread
  • thinly sliced
  • thinly cut
  • thinly applied
  • thinly rolled
Synonyms
  • finely

    suggests small particles or precise cutting rather than reduced thickness; 'finely chopped' vs 'thinly sliced'

  • delicately

    emphasises care and fragility rather than just reduced thickness

Antonyms
  • thickly

    the direct opposite — a thick layer or cut

  • generously

    implies a plentiful, thick application, especially for spreads

Grammar Patterns

thinly + past participle (sliced, spread, applied)

Usage Note

Common with verbs of physical application: spread, slice, cut, apply, roll. The result is always a visible reduction in the thickness dimension.

Common Mistakes

Spread the butter thin on the bread.
Spread the butter thinly on the bread.
'thin' is an adjective, not an adverb; use 'thinly' to describe how something is done.

2. When people, objects, or resources are positioned across a space with wide gaps

2.adverbB1
Definition

When people, objects, or resources are positioned across a space with wide gaps between them, so that most of the area remains empty, or there is not enough to cover the demand.

Example

The northern region of Canada is thinly populated, with towns separated by hundreds of kilometres.

thinly populated — low population density

Shirin spread her team too thinly across four different projects, and performance suffered.

thinly spread — resources stretched too far

Common collocations
  • thinly populated
  • thinly attended
  • thinly spread
  • thinly staffed
  • thinly scattered
Synonyms
  • sparsely

    more commonly used for population and vegetation; 'sparsely populated' is more natural than 'thinly populated' in some contexts

  • lightly

    suggests a smaller amount rather than wider spacing; 'lightly attended' emphasises few people rather than wide gaps

Antonyms
  • densely

    the standard opposite — many people or things close together

  • thickly

    often used for vegetation or crowds; 'thickly forested'

Grammar Patterns

thinly + past participle (populated, attended, spread)

thinly + adjective

Usage Note

Often paired with past participles that describe how many people or things are present: populated, attended, staffed, spread. 'Thinly spread' is the most metaphorical — it applies to effort, money, or attention, not just physical spacing.

Common Mistakes

The room was thin with people.
The room was thinly populated.
'thin' is an adjective describing the room, but you need the adverb 'thinly' to describe how the people are distributed.

3. Used to describe an attempt at concealment or disguise that is so weak the hidde

3.adverbB2
Definition

Used to describe an attempt at concealment or disguise that is so weak the hidden truth remains obvious — for instance, a criticism barely hidden behind praise, or a real story barely changed into fiction.

Example

Adaeze's article was a thinly disguised attack on the company's management practices.

thinly disguised — obviously hidden

Jason's praise for his colleague was thinly veiled jealousy over the promotion.

thinly veiled — barely concealed emotion

Common collocations
  • thinly disguised
  • thinly veiled
  • thinly fictionalized
  • thinly concealed
Synonyms
  • barely

    modifies the same participles ('barely disguised') but focuses on minimal concealment rather than transparent thinness

  • transparently

    stronger — implies no concealment at all, whereas 'thinly' suggests a token attempt

Antonyms
  • deeply

    the opposite of surface-level concealment; 'deeply hidden'

  • carefully

    implies deliberate, successful concealment

Grammar Patterns

thinly + past participle (disguised, veiled, fictionalized)

Usage Note

Restricted to a small set of fixed expressions: thinly disguised, thinly veiled, and thinly fictionalized appear in over 90% of uses for this sense. Learners should memorise these as set phrases rather than trying to invent new combinations.

Common Mistakes

His anger was thinly hided.
His anger was thinly disguised.
'disguised' is the conventional past participle for this sense; 'veiled' is the other option.

4. Describing a smile, laugh, or show of feeling that lacks genuine warmth or energ

4.adverbC1
Definition

Describing a smile, laugh, or show of feeling that lacks genuine warmth or energy, so the person comes across as unwilling, uninterested, or merely going through the motions.

Example

Roya smiled thinly when her friend suggested they work together again.

thinly smiled — forced, reluctant reaction

The audience clapped thinly after the presentation, clearly unimpressed.

thinly clapped — weak applause

Common collocations
  • smiled thinly
  • clapped thinly
  • thinly enthusiastic
  • thinly polite
Synonyms
  • weakly

    broader — applies to any lack of force, not just insincerity; 'weakly protested'

  • lamely

    suggests a lack of effort or effectiveness; 'lamely apologized'

Antonyms
  • heartily

    enthusiastic and sincere; 'laughed heartily'

  • warmly

    genuine and friendly; 'smiled warmly'

Grammar Patterns

thinly + verb (smiled, laughed, clapped)

thinly + adjective (enthusiastic, polite)

Usage Note

Typically modifies verbs of expression (smiled, laughed, clapped) that describe a reaction lacking genuine feeling. Less common than the other three senses; learners at C1 level may encounter it in fiction and journalism.

Common Mistakes

He thin smiled at the joke.
He smiled thinly at the joke.
'thin' is an adjective, not an adverb. The adverb 'thinly' must modify the verb.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/2

All three describe a small amount or low density, but they pair with different nouns. 'Thinly' works best for resources and people stretched over an area: 'thinly spread,' 'thinly attended.' 'Sparsely' is the standard choice for population and vegetation: 'sparsely populated' sounds more natural than 'thinly populated' in formal writing. 'Lightly' suggests a smaller quantity rather than wider spacing — a 'lightly attended' event was not well promoted, while a 'thinly attended' event had empty seats despite expectation. In general writing, prefer 'thinly' for metaphorical stretching (time, money, attention) and 'sparsely' for physical distribution across a landscape.

thinly ↗sparsely ↗lightly ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • thinly spread
  • thinly sliced
  • thinly veiled
  • thinly populated

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Thinly traces back to the Old English word 'þynne,' meaning 'narrow, slender, not dense,' with the adverbial suffix '-lice' (modern '-ly'). The literal senses — describing thin layers or sparse distribution — have been in continuous use since before the year 1000. The metaphorical senses (transparent disguise, weak effort) developed later, appearing in English literature from the 16th and 17th centuries as the word extended from physical thinness to abstract notions of fragility and insubstantiality.