英語の似ている単語の違いと使い分け｜skinny・slim・old・elderly などの印象の違いを解説

In English, many words have similar meanings, but they don’t always feel the same.

Some words sound polite or positive. Others sound negative or rude.

It’s important to choose the right word for the situation.

Let’s look at some common word groups where the meaning is similar, but the feeling is different.

1. Skinny vs Slim vs Thin

These words all mean “not fat,” but they feel very different.

• Skinny - often negative or rude. It sounds like someone is too thin.

  • “She looks really skinny.” (maybe unhealthy or weak)

• Slim - positive and polite. It often means attractive or healthy.

  • “She looks very slim in that dress.” (a compliment - a nice thing to say)

• Thin - neutral. It’s not good or bad. It’s a fact.

  • “He is tall and thin.” (just a description)

Tip: If you want to give a compliment, use slim. Saying skinny can be rude or too direct.

2. Old vs Elderly vs Senior

These words all mean “aged,” but we use them in different ways.

• Old - This is a neutral word when talking about things, but it can sound too direct or even rude when used about people.

  • “I live in an old house.” (no problem)

  • “This is my old phone.” (no problem)

  • “That old man” (can sound unfriendly or disrespectful, even if it is true)

  If you want to be polite when describing someone, it’s better to avoid calling them “old.”

• Elderly - polite and respectful. Often used for people aged 70+.

  • “We helped an elderly woman with her bags.”

• Senior - formal and polite. Used for services, discounts, or jobs.

  • “My grandfather gets a senior discount.”

  • “She’s a senior manager at her company.”

Tip: Use “older” instead of “old” when talking about people

If you want to describe someone in a more polite way, using “older” is usually better than “old.” It sounds softer and more respectful.

• “He’s an older man who lives next door.” (more polite)

• “He’s an old man who lives next door.” (can sound rude or too direct)

“Older” still shows age, but it feels less negative than “old” when talking about people.

3. Confident vs Arrogant

These words are about believing in and trusting yourself, but the tone is very different.

• Confident - positive. You believe in yourself - in a healthy way.

  • “She’s confident when she speaks in meetings.”

• Arrogant - negative. You think you are better than others.

  • “He’s arrogant and never listens to others.”

Tip: Confidence is a good thing! But don’t confuse it with arrogance.

4. Lazy vs Relaxed vs Chill

These words all describe someone who doesn’t do much - but the feeling is very different.

• Lazy - negative. It means you avoid work or effort.

  • “He’s lazy and doesn’t clean his room.”

• Relaxed - positive. You are calm, not stressed.

  • “She has a relaxed style of teaching.”

• Chill - casual. It means relaxed, easygoing (used in informal speech).

  • “He’s a chill guy. Nothing stresses him out.”

Tip: Be careful calling someone lazy - it is rude. If they’re calm and easygoing, say relaxed or chill instead.

Quick Practice

Choose the best word in each sentence.

1. He’s very ____ - he never does his homework or helps at home.

2. She’s quite ____ - she doesn’t worry about small problems.

3. My grandma is an ____ woman who still walks every day.

4. He’s very ____ in meetings, but he listens well and stays humble.

5. He is too ____ - I can see his skeleton!

Final Thoughts

Words can have the same meaning, but give very different impressions. Choosing the right word helps you sound more polite, more natural, and more confident in English.

Try to notice how people use these words in conversation, and think about the feeling behind them.

Possible Answers

1. lazy

2. chill/relaxed

3. elderly/older/senior

4. confident

5. skinny