skeleton

1 of 2

noun

skel·​e·​ton ˈske-lə-tən How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
Synonyms of skeletonnext
1
: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism
especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2
: something reduced to its minimum form or essential parts
3
: an emaciated person or animal
4
a
: something forming a structural framework
b
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule
5
: something shameful and kept secret (as in a family)
—often used in the phrase skeleton in the closet
6
: a small sled that is ridden in a prone position and used especially in competition
also : the competition itself
skeletonic
ˌske-lə-ˈtä-nik How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
adjective

Illustration of skeleton

Illustration of skeleton
  • 1 skull
  • 2 clavicle
  • 3 scapula
  • 4 sternum
  • 5 humerus
  • 6 pelvis
  • 7 carpus
  • 8 metacarpal bones
  • 9 phalanges (fingers)
  • 10 tibia
  • 11 tarsus
  • 12 metatarsal bones
  • 13 phalanges (toes)
  • 14 fibula
  • 15 patella
  • 16 femur
  • 17 ulna
  • 18 radius
  • 19 spinal column
  • 20 rib
  • 21 orbit

skeleton

2 of 2

adjective

: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton

Synonyms

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of skeleton in a Sentence

Noun They found the fossil skeleton of a mastodon. He hung a plastic skeleton on the door for Halloween. She was a skeleton after her illness. Only the charred skeleton of the house remained after the fire. We saw a skeleton of the report before it was published.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
With the Catholic Church suddenly left without a pope, Dean Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) convenes a conclave to elect a successor and opens the door to a closet full of skeletons surrounding the leading candidates. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025 Lead author Rab Smyth, from the University of Leicester’s Centre for Paleobiology and Biosphere Evolution, explained that pterosaurs have incredibly lightweight skeletons. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Six weeks after his birth, Rivera and Dorsey gave the first glimpse at their newborn by posting a picture of him on Instagram in a skeleton Halloween costume. —Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 29 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for skeleton

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek, neuter of skeletos dried up; akin to Greek skellein to dry up, sklēros hard and perhaps to Old English sceald shallow

First Known Use

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of skeleton was in 1578

Phrases Containing skeleton

Rhymes for skeleton

See All Rhymes for skeleton

Browse Nearby Words

skeletal muscle
skeleton
skeleton chase
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skeleton.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skeleton. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

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Kids Definition

skeleton

1 of 2 noun
skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a firm supporting or protecting structure or framework of a living thing
especially : a framework made of bone or sometimes cartilage that supports the soft tissues and protects the internal organs of a vertebrate (as a fish or human being) compare endoskeleton, exoskeleton
2
: a very thin person or animal
3
: something forming a structural framework

skeleton

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, consisting of, or resembling a skeleton
a skeleton hand
2
: consisting of the smallest possible number of persons who can get a job done
a skeleton crew

Medical Definition

skeleton

noun
skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn How to pronounce skeleton (audio)
1
: a usually rigid supportive or protective structure or framework of an organism
especially : the bony or more or less cartilaginous framework supporting the soft tissues and protecting the internal organs of a vertebrate
2
: the straight or branched chain or ring of atoms that forms the basic structure of an organic molecule

More from Merriam-Webster on skeleton

Nglish: Translation of skeleton for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about skeleton

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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