skeletal

adjective

skel·​e·​tal ˈske-lə-tᵊl 

: of, relating to, forming, attached to, or resembling a skeleton

skeletally

ˈske-lə-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

Synonyms of skeletal

• gaunt
• haggard

Examples of skeletal in a Sentence

The archaeologist found skeletal remains.

She was skeletal after her illness.

Recent Examples on the Web

The exact mechanism behind these skeletal changes isn’t fully understood. —Jennifer Byrne, Popular Science, 5 Mar. 2026

Seeing a skeletal creature materialize in the darkness is ominous; returning to the site to find that it’s disappeared is even worse. —Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026

Her skeletal remains were discovered in the city of White House in Robertson County by a woman walking near her home, the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026

Humane World for Animals Several dead cats and skeletal remains were also found during the search, officials said. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing skeletal

• skeletal muscle

Rhymes for skeletal

• cytoskeletal
• musculoskeletal

Kids Definition

skeletal

adjective

skel·​e·​tal ˈskel-ət-ᵊl 

: of, relating or attached to, forming, or resembling a skeleton

skeletal muscles

the skeletal system

Medical Definition

skeletal

adjective

skel·​e·​tal

ˈskel-ət-ᵊl, British sometimes ske-ˈlēt-ᵊl

: of, relating to, forming, attached to, or resembling a skeleton

skeletal structures

the skeletal system