razor-thin

See also: razor thin

English

Alternative forms

• razor thin

Etymology

First use appears c. 1909, in the Washington Post.

Adjective

razor-thin (not comparable)

1. (literally) Extremely fine; so thin as to be almost invisible.

   Synonym: paper-thin

2. (figuratively) A very small difference, or advantage, when comparing two items.

   The Socialists have a razor-thin majority.

Translations

extremely fine; so thin as to be almost invisible

• German: hauchdünn (de)
• Polish: cieniutki (pl)
• Russian: тончайший (ru) (tončajšij)

a very small difference, or advantage, when comparing two items

• German: hauchdünn (de)
• Polish: malutki (pl), maleńki (pl)