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gaunt

adjective
\ ˈgȯnt How to pronounce gaunt (audio) , ˈgänt\

Definition of gaunt

1 : excessively thin and angular a long gaunt face
2 : barren, desolate
Other Words from gaunt Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about gaunt

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Other Words from gaunt

gauntly adverb
gauntness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for gaunt

lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned, scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. a lean racehorse spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise. the gymnast's spare figure lank implies tallness as well as leanness. the lank legs of the heron lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness. a lanky youth, all arms and legs gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering. a prisoner's gaunt face rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment. a rawboned farmer scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality. a scrawny chicken skinny street urchins

Examples of gaunt in a Sentence

He left the hospital looking tired and gaunt. a gaunt factory on the edge of town

Recent Examples on the Web

 Consumption often caused a bloody cough and left victims pale and gaunt with blood in the corners of their mouths, author and folklorist Michael Bell wrote. — Author: Michael E. Ruane, Anchorage Daily News, "Remains of an American ‘vampire’ were found about 30 years ago. Now DNA is giving him new life.," 1 Aug. 2019 But decades of strain in one of the city’s most demanding jobs were apparent in the stooped shoulders and the gaunt face lined with legal decisions. — Robert D. Mcfadden, New York Times, "Robert Morgenthau, Longtime Manhattan District Attorney, Dies at 99," 21 July 2019 Consumption often caused a bloody cough and left victims pale and gaunt with blood in the corners of their mouths, author and folklorist Michael Bell wrote. — Author: Michael E. Ruane, Anchorage Daily News, "Remains of an American ‘vampire’ were found about 30 years ago. Now DNA is giving him new life.," 1 Aug. 2019 Consumption often caused a bloody cough and left victims pale and gaunt with blood in the corners of their mouths, author and folklorist Michael Bell wrote. — oregonlive.com, "A ‘vampire’s’ remains were found about 30 years ago. Now DNA is giving him new life.," 31 July 2019 The old man was now gaunt with deep wrinkles in the back of his neck. — SI.com, "Gianluigi Buffon: The Old Man & the UEFA Champions League," 26 June 2019 Johnny Depp is pale, gaunt and terrifying as the title character of this Stephen Sondheim adaptation, which arrives on Hulu this month. — Andrew R. Chow, New York Times, "What’s on TV Sunday: ‘Pose’ and ‘Succession’," 3 June 2018 But new photos of the 54-year-old actor looking pale and gaunt have fans worrying about his health. — Kim Willis, USA TODAY, "Johnny Depp looks shockingly thin in new photos, and fans are worried he's sick," 3 June 2018 George Withers, then 54, was a slight man, gaunt and wiry like a coyote, with long brown hair combed to the back of his head. — Betsy Teter, Outside Online, "The Lost Legend of the Girl Rangers," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gaunt.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of gaunt

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for gaunt

Middle English

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More Definitions for gaunt

gaunt

adjective
How to pronounce gaunt (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of gaunt

: very thin usually because of illness or suffering
literary : plain and unpleasant in appearance : desolate and gloomy

See the full definition for gaunt in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gaunt

adjective
\ ˈgȯnt How to pronounce gaunt (audio) \
gaunter; gauntest

Kids Definition of gaunt

: very thin and bony (as from illness or hunger) a gaunt face

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More from Merriam-Webster on gaunt

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with gaunt

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gaunt

Spanish Central: Translation of gaunt

Nglish: Translation of gaunt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of gaunt for Arabic Speakers

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