lank - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
lank Word Meanings
- thin and lanky
- long and lean
- slender and awkward
lank Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
lank Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/læŋk/
US
/læŋk/
lank Word Etymology
lank = long + -k (diminutive). From Middle English 'lank', related to Old English. Memory image: imagine a tall, slender tree swaying awkwardly in the wind.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Lank describes someone or something that is unusually tall and thin, with a slender, sometimes awkward look. It can refer to limbs, a frame, or even hair that hangs straight and stringy. The meaning overlaps with long and lean, but lank connotes a certain bend towards slenderness that feels a bit unbalanced or gawky, rather than simply fit. In everyday speech you might see phrases like a lank figure or lanky teenager, though lank is somewhat literary or regional in tone. Use lank to emphasize length and fragility rather than health or strength, and prefer lanky for more everyday, active tallness.
Usage Reminders
- Use lank for tall, thin appearance with a slight awkward vibe; prefer lanky for everyday tallness; avoid describing health; not for things that are simply long.
Common Misconceptions
- Lank only describes height, not overall build.
- It cannot describe hair or limbs as easily as lean or slender terms.
- Lank is not a synonym for 'taint' or 'gaunt'.
- Lank often feels old-fashioned or literary.
- Do not use lank to describe healthy appearance.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often connect lank with a slightly old-fashioned or literary vibe; keep it for descriptions with a sense of elongation and awkwardness, not everyday casual tallness.
Learning Tips
- Pair lank with nouns like figure, frame, or hair to describe elongation.
- Compare with lanky and slender to choose tone.
- Avoid using for healthy-looking people.
- Use in literary or descriptive writing.
- Note that hair can be lank if it is straight and stringy.
- Practice with a tall, thin character in a short scene.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'lank'?
A.Slender
B.Tall
C.Fluffy
D.Sparse
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'lank' correctly?
A.The cat's fur was lank and thick.
B.She had long lank hair that reached her waist.
C.The tree branches were lank with leaves.
D.His voice was lank and deep.
Step 3: Similar Words
What is a synonym for 'lank'?
A.Curly
B.Thin
C.Bulky
D.Smooth
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is an opposite of 'lank'?
A.Short
B.Straight
C.Thick
D.Round
Step 5: Mastery
In what context might you describe someone's hair as 'lank'?
A.Discussing a fluffy pillow
B.Noting the lack of volume in someone's hair
C.Describing someone's messy room
D.Complimenting a colorful painting
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