ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bony

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈboʊni// UK //bˈəʊni// bony

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.


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.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English bony, equivalent to bone + -y.

Usage

Often used to describe specific body parts like fingers, knees, or shoulders to emphasize thinness.

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