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

This Upper Paleolithic burial even became famous, though puzzling to researchers, because the unusual skeletal remains were even disfigured. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

Restaurants are struggling again, losing customers, down to skeletal staff. —Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

As if by magic, the car’s body panels disappear, revealing the skeletal aluminum spaceframe below. —Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 Jan. 2026

Later archeological research, including forensic examination of skeletal remains, has turned up no evidence for cannibalism or for a particularly bellicose society on Rapa Nui. —Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 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