gaunt Hear it!

gaunt Definition

gaunt (gônt, gänt)

adjective

  1. thin and bony; hollow-eyed and haggard, as from great hunger or age; emaciated
  2. looking grim, forbidding, or desolate

Etymology: ME gawnte, earlier gant, slender, thin, gaunt < ?

gaunt Related Forms

gaunt′ly adverb gaunt′·ness noun

gaunt Synonyms

gaunt

modif.

emaciated, scraggy, skinny; see thin 2.

gaunt Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • rather: Handsome, large velvety dark-green leaves are an outstanding feature of this often rather gaunt, tall shrub.
  • very: Donald was propped up on the pillows, very gaunt with his eyes set far back in his sockets.

Modifies a noun

  • figure: The memories of the thin gaunt figures of the first Jarrow marchers is burnt on our memories.
  • face: I kept staring at the gaunt face illuminated by the fire.
  • woman: There stood the gaunt woman with a look of triumph on her face.
  • feature: Something like a sneer quivered over the gaunt features of the old Professor.
  • man: They were grouped around a tall, gaunt young man who had pursued them for miles.
  • appearance: Phillip of France, shocked at the King's gaunt appearance, offered his cloak to enable him to sit on the ground.

Used with adjective complement

  • look: Club secretary, Ralph Waterhouse was looking more gaunt by the minute.
  • appear: This Frankenstein Monster is very tall and emaciated, the actor's frame accentuated by make-up that makes him appear even more gaunt.