skeleton

1 of 2

noun

skel·​e·​ton ˈske-lə-tən 

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 

adjective

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 of skeleton

Noun

• structure
• framework
• architecture

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

Noun

The leasing office ran on a skeleton staff and a hold button. — Ken Lundin, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026

When she was called into the offices of M1, the broadcaster was operating with only a skeleton staff after many of its employees had left or been fired following the ouster of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from office in April. — Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026

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

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

Phrases Containing skeleton

• axial skeleton
• skeleton key

Rhymes for skeleton

• gelatin
• cytoskeleton
• exoskeleton

Kids Definition

skeleton

1 of 2 noun

skel·​e·​ton ˈskel-ət-ᵊn 

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 

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