Phrase guide

thin space

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A metal block used to separate words, one fifth of an em in width.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: letterpress-typography, media, publishing, typography

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: 5-to-the-em space, 5-em space

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

In digital text, a character representing a thin space.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: media, publishing, typography

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: 5-to-the-em space, 5-em space

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From thin + space. First use appears c. 1683 in the writings of Joseph Moxon.