Word
marrow
Phoneticsmar·row, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmɛɹoʊ/
UK/mˈæɹəʊ/
Definitions
01inside bones
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Medicine
n. the soft, fatty substance inside your bones where blood cells are made.
n. the fatty, vascular tissue found in the cavities of bones; it is the primary site of blood cell production.
“The doctor explained that the patient needed a marrow transplant to help her body make healthy blood.”
“The biopsy revealed that the marrow was producing an insufficient number of red blood cells, necessitating a more aggressive treatment plan.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun in medical contexts.
Synonyms
02vegetable
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Cooking British English
n. a large, long green vegetable with a hard skin that is related to the zucchini.
n. a large, edible gourd or squash, typically of the species Cucurbita pepo, harvested when mature.
“We grew a giant marrow in the garden and stuffed it with rice and herbs for dinner.”
“The local horticultural show awarded first prize to a marrow that weighed over thirty kilograms, a testament to the gardener's dedication.”
Usage
Commonly used in British English; American speakers usually refer to similar vegetables as 'squash' or 'large zucchini'.
03the essence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. the most important or central part of something.
n. the essential or most vital part of an idea, situation, or person.
“The book really gets to the marrow of what it means to be human.”
“The philosopher's latest essay attempts to strip away the superficial arguments and reach the marrow of the ethical dilemma.”
04a friend
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Dialect · British English
n. a word for a friend or a work partner.
n. a companion, mate, or work associate, particularly in mining or industrial contexts.
“He went down to the pub to meet his old marrow for a drink.”
“In the traditional mining communities of the North East, a marrow was more than just a colleague; they were a trusted partner underground.”
Teaching tip
This sense is specific to Northern England, particularly the Tyneside area, and is rarely heard elsewhere.
Etymology
From Middle English mary, marow, marwe, marowȝ, from Old English mearg, from Proto-West Germanic maʀg, from Proto-Germanic mazgą, mazgaz, from Proto-Indo-European mosgʰos. Compare West Frisian moarch, Dutch merg, German Mark, Swedish märg, Icelandic mergur, and also Russian мозг (mozg, “brain”), Polish mózg (“brain”), Ashkun amōźã, Kamkata-viri muč, muj, Waigali muj, Persian مغز (maġz, “brain”), Sanskrit मज्जन् (majján). Doublet of maghaz.
From Old Norse margr.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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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