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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

bony

BOH-nee

Bony (adj) means Thin, with bones that are noticeably visible or prominent. Example: “His bony fingers gripped the railing.”

adj
1
Thin, with bones that are noticeably visible or prominent.
"His bony fingers gripped the railing."
2
Relating to or made of bone.
"The fish has a bony plate protecting its head."

How to use bony

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSkinny with prominent bones, or simply made of or related to bone.

Common pairings
bony hands bony fish

Word forms

bonier comparative, boniest superlative

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His _____ fingers gripped the railing.

Etymology

From "bone" plus the adjective suffix "-y."

boney osteal osseous

Related words

Rhymes for bony

See all rhymes for bony →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bony” mean?

The word “bony” means thin, with bones that are noticeably visible or prominent. In plain terms, skinny with prominent bones, or simply made of or related to bone.

How do you pronounce “bony”?

“Bony” is pronounced BOH-nee (/ˈboʊni/ in IPA).

How do you use “bony” in a sentence?

Here is “bony” used in a sentence: “His bony fingers gripped the railing.”

What part of speech is “bony”?

“Bony” is an adjective.

Is “bony” a common word?

“Bony” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “bony” have?

“Bony” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: thin, with bones that are noticeably visible or prominent.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial