adj
Uncommon
skeletal
SKEHL-ih-tuhl
Skeletal (adj) means relating to the skeleton or bone structure of a body. Example: “The scan revealed no skeletal damage from the fall.”
adj
1
Relating to the skeleton or bone structure of a body.
"The scan revealed no skeletal damage from the fall."
2
Extremely thin, gaunt, or bony in appearance.
"After the illness he looked skeletal and drawn."
3
Reduced to only the most basic outline or framework, lacking detail.
"The report was just a skeletal draft with the main headings filled in."
How to use skeletal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelating to bones, or — by extension — stripped down to a bare, thin, or basic form.
Common pairings
skeletal structure
skeletal remains
skeletal outline
skeletal frame
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Word forms
- Plural
- skeletals
- Comparative
- more skeletal
- Superlative
- most skeletal
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The scan revealed no _____ damage from the fall.
Etymology
From "skeleton" plus the adjective ending "-al."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for skeletal
See all rhymes for skeletal →Frequently asked questions
What does “skeletal” mean?
The word “skeletal” means relating to the skeleton or bone structure of a body. In plain terms, relating to bones, or — by extension — stripped down to a bare, thin, or basic form.
How do you pronounce “skeletal”?
“Skeletal” is pronounced SKEHL-ih-tuhl (/ˈskɛl.ə.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “skeletal” in a sentence?
Here is “skeletal” used in a sentence: “The scan revealed no skeletal damage from the fall.”
What part of speech is “skeletal”?
“Skeletal” is an adjective.
Is “skeletal” a common word?
“Skeletal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “skeletal” have?
“Skeletal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to the skeleton or bone structure of a body.
