Synonyms for

Bones

Verb / bəʊnz / Another word for bones — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Bones are the hard parts inside a person's or animal's body that make up its frame.

Synonyms & similar words

fingercymbals clappers mugup grindaway getup osseoustissue swot castanets os drum offwhite swotup ivory pearl bone cram debone boneup skeleton frame structure framework anatomy ossification cartilage joints calcium marrow spine vertebrae ribs skull teeth femur tibia fibula humerus

Synonyms by register

Formal

skeletal structure osseous tissue endoskeleton

Informal

gristle frame

Literary

bony framework ivory

Antonyms

flesh muscle fat tissue organs skin

Common collocations

  • break a bone
  • bone marrow
  • bone density
  • bone china
  • bone up on
  • bare bones
  • wishbone

Word family

noun bone
verb bone
adjective bony

Usage note

While 'bone' can be used informally to mean 'to study intensely' (e.g., 'bone up on'), this usage is less common in formal contexts. The plural 'bones' can also refer to the remains of a dead body.

Example sentences

  1. I found some bones in the backyard.
  2. The doctor took an x-ray of my bones.
  3. My favorite thing to eat at the barbecue is chicken bones.
  4. The museum had a display of dinosaur bones.
  5. My cat likes to play with small bones.

Quotes

  • A man may esteem himself happy when he hath a good wife, a good horse, and a good dog.
  • I have a bone to pick with you!
  • One of the most important keys to success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you don't feel like doing it.

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