Word
bony
US/ˈboʊni/
UK/bˈəʊni/
Definition
adj. having very little fat on the body so that the bones show through the skin. It can also describe something that is made of or looks like bone.
adj. characterised by a lack of flesh or fat, making the skeletal structure prominent; consisting of or resembling bone.
Examples
“The old man had thin, bony fingers.”
“After weeks of hiking with limited rations, his face looked tired and bony.”
“The archaeologist carefully brushed away the soil to reveal the bony remains of a creature that had been extinct for millions of years.”
Examples
simple
“The old man had thin, bony fingers.”
contextual
“After weeks of hiking with limited rations, his face looked tired and bony.”
complex
“The archaeologist carefully brushed away the soil to reveal the bony remains of a creature that had been extinct for millions of years.”
Usage
Often used to describe specific body parts like fingers, knees, or shoulders to emphasize thinness.
Etymology
From Middle English bony, equivalent to bone + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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