Stalkier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Possessing a notably tall and thin shape that resembles an elongated form
2. Describing an upright, slender build that is more pronounced than typical structures
3. Characterized by a more elongated and slender shape than usual, resembling a tall stalk

Etymology: "Stalkier" is the comparative form of "stalky," so it is the form used when comparing two things, such as one plant being stalkier than another. The comparative is built from "stalky," which is itself an adjective made by adding the suffix "-y" to "stalk," so the core of the word is the familiar noun for a plant's main stem. The "-y" ending is one of English's most productive adjective-forming suffixes, traceable to Old English "-ig," and it attaches to a huge range of nouns to mean "having the quality of" or "full of" that noun. "Stalk" itself is an older English word, and "stalky" follows the same pattern as "bushy" or "leafy." Comparatives like "stalkier" are formed by changing the "y" to "i" and adding "-er," the same change seen in "happy" becoming "happier."

Synonyms: taller, thinner, stricter, more upright, more slender

Antonyms: shorter, stouter, wider, more compact, squatter