boneless

adjective

bone·​less ˈbōn-ləs How to pronounce boneless (audio)
1
: being without a bone
jellyfish are boneless
: having the bone or bones removed
boneless roasts of beef
2
: lacking character, strength, or vigor
the sentences are occasionally bonelessJ. N. Hall

Word History

Etymology

Middle English banles, from Old English bānlēas, from bān bone + -lēas -less

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Boneless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/boneless. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on boneless

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!