From Latin tenuis ‘thin, slender’, related to tender.
FAQ
What does tenuous mean?
It means thin and weak, or lacking certainty and strength.
How is tenuous used to describe physical objects?
It describes something with a thin, delicate or fragile form, like a slender strand or weak material.
What does tenuous mean in everyday language?
It refers to a shaky or insubstantial connection, idea, or situation that is uncertain or insecure.
What are some synonyms for tenuous when talking about a fragile material?
Synonyms include fragile, delicate, slender, fine, thin, gossamer, filmy, flimsy.
What are some synonyms for tenuous when describing an uncertain idea?
Synonyms include uncertain, shaky, insecure, unstable, precarious, flimsy, fragile, dubious.
What is the origin of the word tenuous?
It comes from Latin tenuis meaning “thin, slender,” and is related to the word tender.
Is tenuous considered a neutral or formal word?
It is a neutral adjective in both physical and everyday domains.
How does tenuous differ from fragile?
While both can describe something delicate, tenuous also covers lack of certainty or strength in ideas, whereas fragile mainly refers to physical breakability.
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