What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gangling
Example
He was a gangling teenager with arms and legs that seemed too long for his body. [gangling: adjective]
Example
The puppy was gangling around the yard, tripping over its own paws. [gangling: verb]
lanky
Example
She was a lanky model with legs that seemed to go on forever. [lanky: adjective]
Example
The horse moved with a lanky gait, its long legs covering ground effortlessly. [lanky: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lanky is more commonly used than gangling in everyday language. Lanky is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gangling is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gangling and lanky?
Lanky is more formal than gangling, which is more casual and informal. However, both words can be used in various formality levels depending on the context.