Basic Details
Word: Gaunt
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Very thin and bony, often because of illness or lack of food.
Synonyms: Thin, emaciated, scrawny
Antonyms: Plump, robust, healthy
Idioms and Phrases
- Gaunt as a ghost: Used to describe someone who looks extremely thin or pale. Example: "After being sick for weeks, he looked as gaunt as a ghost."
- Gaunt and grim: Referring to someone who appears very serious and exhausted. Example: "The gaunt and grim soldier stepped forward to speak about the battle."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The gaunt stray dog wandered the streets in search of food and shelter.
Example 2: After the long winter, the plants looked gaunt and needed water to grow again.
Example 3: The artist painted a gaunt figure to express the struggles of life in their work.
Fun Fact
The word "gaunt" comes from the Old French word "gant", which means "thin and scrawny". It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe someone looking sickly or fragile.
Famous Quote
"The gaunt figure of fate stands at the door of every earthly hope." - Thomas Hardy
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "gaunt" mean?
a) Very thin and bony
b) Very large and strong
c) Very happy and cheerful
d) Very old and dusty
Answer: a) Very thin and bony
2. Which of these is a synonym of "gaunt"?
a) Plump
b) Emaciated
c) Healthy
d) Strong
Answer: b) Emaciated
3. Which sentence uses "gaunt" correctly?
a) The gaunt athlete won the race easily.
b) She felt gaunt after eating too much.
c) The gaunt tree stood alone in the field.
d) The gaunt dog wagged its tail in the park.
Answer: c) The gaunt tree stood alone in the field.
4. Which idiom means the same as "gaunt"?
a) Gaunt and grim
b) Full of life
c) As happy as a lark
d) Busy as a bee
Answer: a) Gaunt and grim
5. What is the opposite of "gaunt"?
a) Thin
b) Scrawny
c) Robust
d) Emaciated
Answer: c) Robust
