Spindly describes something thin, long, and weak-looking, like it might break or tip over easily. A spindly plant has a tall, skinny stem that seems too fragile to support itself. Spindly legs on a table or chair look thin and unsteady, making you wonder if they'll hold weight.

You often see spindly things in nature: a young sapling might have a spindly trunk before it thickens with age, or a spider might have spindly legs that seem impossibly delicate. A person with spindly arms or legs appears thin and lacking muscle.

The word carries a sense of fragility and weakness. A sturdy oak tree has thick, powerful branches, while a neglected houseplant in a dark corner develops spindly stems reaching toward the light. When you build something with spindly supports, you're probably creating something unstable that won't last long or hold much weight. The word suggests that whatever you're describing could use more strength, thickness, or solidity.