# skeletal

/ˈskɛɫətəɫ/ (US) · /skˈɛlɪtəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/skeletal
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. relating to bones

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

relating to the skeleton or bones of a body.

For teachers: of, relating to, or forming a skeleton.

- The doctor showed us a skeletal diagram to explain where the fracture was.
- The skeletal structure of the blue whale is remarkably adapted for supporting its massive weight in a marine environment.

Usage: Often used in medical or biological contexts to describe systems like muscles or nerves.

### 2. very thin

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

looking like a skeleton because of being very thin, often due to hunger or illness.

For teachers: resembling a skeleton; extremely thin, emaciated, or gaunt.

- After weeks of being lost in the woods, the hiker looked skeletal.
- The refugees arrived at the camp in a skeletal state, having survived on nothing but rainwater for several days.

### 3. basic or minimal

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

containing only the most basic parts or facts, without any extra detail.

For teachers: reduced to the essential or minimal parts; lacking elaboration or detail.

- The committee only provided a skeletal outline of the new policy.
- The department was operating with a skeletal staff over the holiday period, handling only the most urgent enquiries.

Usage: Commonly collocates with 'staff', 'crew', 'outline', or 'plan'.

### 4. paleontology drawing

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · Technical

a simple black-and-white drawing of an animal's bones used by artists.

For teachers: a skeletal diagram, specifically a technical drawing of an extinct animal's skeleton used as a reference for paleoart.

- The artist looked at a skeletal of the T-Rex before drawing the muscles.
- Accurate paleoart relies heavily on the latest skeletal published by paleontologists to ensure the proportions are correct.

## Examples

- The doctor showed me a skeletal diagram of the hand.
- After months of famine, the refugees arrived at the camp in a skeletal condition, requiring immediate medical intervention.
- The new administration began with a skeletal staff, focusing only on the most urgent legislative priorities while they vetted candidates for more permanent roles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.