WordGarden.iobony
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈəʊni/
US
- /ˈboʊni/
Meanings
Adjective
having bones that show through the skin; very thin-looking
made of bone, containing bone, or relating to bone structure
Beyond the definition
When something is bony, it means it has visible, prominent bones, often because there is little muscle or fat covering them. Think of a horse with its ribs showing—that's bony! It can also describe things that resemble bone, or someone who is very thin and angular. A bony hand may have very noticeable knuckles and joints. Sometimes it implies fragility; a bony branch might snap easily. Beyond thinness, the word describes things with many bones, such as a bony cut of fish that needs careful eating. It isn't always negative, though. You might admire the "bony structure" of a beautiful face, meaning its strong cheekbones and jawline. Or you might describe a landscape as bony if it is barren, rocky, and stripped of lush soil.
The word "bony" describes something related to bone, made of bone, or shaped like bone—and it often suggests a body or object with little flesh, fat, or padding, so the hard structure is exposed. Imagine an old, weathered tree with gnarled branches reaching toward the sky; you would not describe a lush, leafy tree this way. It suggests a certain rawness and exposure.
The word is often used literally to describe physical features: "The stray dog was thin and bony after weeks on the streets." In this context, it suggests frailty and vulnerability. It is also a technical descriptor in biology: "bony fish" refers to a major class of fish with skeletons made of bone rather than cartilage. In cooking, a meal can be called bony when small bones make it awkward to eat.
The word is also used figuratively for landscapes or terrain: "The hills were bony and covered with sparse vegetation." This suggests a harsh, unforgiving environment where the "skeleton" of the earth—its rocks and boulders—is exposed. While often associated with gauntness, "bony" can also highlight a strong skeletal structure in a positive way, such as a "striking, bony face." Think of the phrase "to pick clean to the bone"—it evokes an image of stripping away everything but the essential structure. Whether you're talking about animals, landscapes, or anatomy, "bony" usually means something structural, exposed, and low in soft tissue.
Examples
- 1
Thin animal
The stray dog was so thin that its bony ribs showed through its fur.
- 2
Body part
She pulled the blanket over her bony knees.
- 3
Crowded train
His bony shoulder pressed against mine on the crowded train.
- 4
Casual complaint
Stop poking me with your bony elbow.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Facial description
The old man had a long, bony face and deep-set eyes.
See also
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- bonyadjective
Forms
- boniercomparativeadjective
- boniestsuperlativeadjective