scrawny

This term carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting a lack of health, strength, or vitality. It describes a type of thinness where the skeletal structure is prominently visible, often evoking a sense of fragility or malnutrition rather than athletic leaness.

In social contexts, calling someone scrawny is typically an insult or a critique of their physical presence, implying they are underdeveloped or weak. It differs from words like slender or slim, which are generally complimentary and suggest grace or fitness.