esile

slender; thin

adjective EH-zee-leh Rare

Origin: Latin exilis (thin, slender)

Also means

faint; weak (of sound or voice)

Usage Note

Esile describes a delicately thin physique (una figura esile = a slender figure) or a faint, thin quality (una voce esile = a wispy voice). It is not derogatory — it suggests elegance rather than unhealthy thinness. Do not confuse with esilio (exile).

Examples

"Ha una figura esile e aggraziata."

Natural Translation

She has a slender and graceful figure.

Free starter pack

Building your Italian vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Italian words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Italian by topic

ItalianNow

Days & Months in Italian: A Beginner's Guide

Days of the week in Italian are lowercase, all masculine except la domenica, and il lunedì means every Monday. Learn the days, months, dates, and seasons.

June 5, 2026 4 min read

ItalianNow

How to Order Coffee in Italy Like a Local

Order coffee in Italy like a local: say un caffè (not espresso), pay at the cassa first, drink al banco, and skip the latte trap. Phrases inside.

June 5, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Italian Diminutives: -ino, -etto, -one Explained

Italian diminutives like -ino, -etto, and -one signal size, affection, or contempt. Learn to read the feeling, dodge gender flips, and spot false diminutives.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

ItalianNow

Tu vs Lei: Formal & Informal "You" in Italian

When in doubt, use Lei. Here's exactly when to use tu vs Lei in Italian — the who-to-use-with map, the verb and possessive shifts, and how to switch politely.

June 5, 2026 6 min read