bones
boʊnz
Definition Synonyms

Definition of bones - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun, plural

1.
medicalthe hard parts inside a body that form its structure
  • The human skeleton is made up of 206 bones..
framework skeleton
2.
structureframework or foundation of something
  • The bones of the building were still intact.
framework skeleton
3.
musicRarepercussive instrument made from ribs or woodRare
  • He played the bones during the folk song.
castanets
4.
friendly greetingRareSlangUSgesture similar to a fist bumpRareSlangUS
  • They gave each other bones after the victory.
dap knuckles pound
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Images of bones

  • bones: percussive instrument made from ribs or wood
    percussive instrument made from ribs or wood

Expressions with bones

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
say something clearly and openly without hiding or hesitating
She made no bones about her dislike for the plan.
flesh on a body preventing skinniness
She finally has some meat on her bones.
express something openly without hesitation or doubt
She did not make any bones about her dislike for the plan.
very thin person or animal
After the illness, he looked like a bag of bones.
felt deeply and instinctively without evidence
She knew in her bones that he was lying.
additional details or substance
The report needs more meat on the bones to be convincing.

Origin of bones

Old English, ban (bone)

Terms with bones included in their meaning

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ribn.
medical
one of the curved bones in the chest of humans and animals
medical
internal framework of bones in a body
body anatomy
the point where two bones meet allowing movement
medical
series of bones supporting the body
cooking
liquid made by boiling beef bones and meat
cooking
narrow strip of deep-fried chicken without bones
cooking
liquid made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables
cooking
piece of meat or fish without bones

Examples of bones in a sentence

  • Bones protect vital organs in the body.
  • The architect admired the bones of the ancient structure.
  • Despite the renovations, the bones of the house remained unchanged.
  • The musician skillfully tapped the bones in rhythm.
  • Bones added a unique sound to the street performance.
  • They exchanged bones before the game started.

View all translations of bones

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:os, ossature, ...
  2. German:Knochen, Struktur, ...
  3. Italian:ossa, struttura portante, ...
  4. Spanish:huesos, armazón, ...
  5. Portuguese:ossos, estrutura, ...
  6. Chinese:骨头, 骨架, ...
  7. Japanese:骨, 骨組み, ...
  8. Arabic:عِظَام, هِيكَل, ...
  9. Hebrew:עַצָּמוֹת, שֶׁלֶד, ...
  10. Russian:скелет, каркас, ...
  11. Ukrainian:кістки, каркас, ...
  12. Hindi:हड्डियाँ, ढांचा, ...
bone
bəʊn

Definition of bone - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

1.
medicalhard whitish tissue making up the skeleton
  • The x-ray showed a fracture in the bone near his wrist..
osseous skeleton
2.
figurativeessence or core of something
  • We need to get down to the bone of the issue during our discussion..
core essence heart

Verb

tr.
1.
cookingremove the bones from meat or fish
  • She decided to bone the chicken before roasting it.
debone fillet
2.
sexSlangUShave sexual intercourse with someoneSlangUS
  • He bragged about boning his date last night.
copulate intercourse mate

Adjective

1.
colorsoff-white color similar to pale ivory
  • She wore a bone dress to the event.
ivory off-white
2.
structureskeletal in material or appearance
  • The bone handle was smooth and polished.
bony osseous skeletal
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Expressions with bone

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ulnar nerve by the elbow that causes sharp pain or tingling
I hit my crazy bone on the table and my arm tingled.
ulnar nerve at the elbow causing tingling when hit
I accidentally hit my funny bone on the table.
study intensively to refresh knowledge
She needs to bone up on her math before the test.
extremely lazy or unwilling to work
He is bone idle and never helps around the house.
study intensively or review
She needs to bone up on her French before the trip.
stubborn and persistent, refusing to give up easily
He was like a dog with a bone, never stopping until he solved the problem.

Origin of bone

Germanic, ban (bone)

Examples of bone in a sentence

  • The dog buried the bone in the backyard.
  • Her speech cut to the bone of the matter.
  • The novel's plot gets to the bone of human nature.
  • He rolled the bones and won the game.
  • The old men gathered to play bones.
  • The designer chose bone for the sofa fabric.

View all translations of bone

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:os, désosser, ...
  2. German:Knochen, entbeinen, ...
  3. Italian:osso, disossare, ...
  4. Spanish:hueso, deshuesar, ...
  5. Portuguese:osso, desossar, ...
  6. Chinese:骨头, 去骨, ...
  7. Japanese:骨, 骨を取る, ...
  8. Arabic:عَظْم, عَظَّمَ, ...
  9. Hebrew:עֶצֶם, לְנַקֵּר, ...
  10. Russian:скелет, удалять кости, ...
  11. Ukrainian:кістка, виймати кістки, ...
  12. Hindi:हड्डी, हड्डियाँ निकालना, ...
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