skeletal

/ˈskelətl/ (bre, ipa) · [skˈɛlətəl] /ˈskelətl/ (ame, ipa) · [skˈɛlətəl] /ˈske-lə-tᵊl How to pronounce skeletal (audio)/ (ame, mw)

skeletal — adjective

  • skeletalpositive
  • more skeletalcomparative
  • most skeletalsuperlative

1. connected with bones, or so thin that a person or animal seems almost all bone u

1.形容詞C1
釋義

connected with bones, or so thin that a person or animal seems almost all bone under the skin

例句

Doctors compared the X-ray with a plastic model of the skeletal hand.

skeletal + body part: relating directly to bones

After weeks at sea, the rescued dog looked skeletal and could barely stand.

be + skeletal: describing an extremely thin appearance

同義詞
  • bony

    less formal and more often used for bones showing through skin on a living body

  • gaunt

    only for thin, tired-looking people or animals; not for anatomy or remains

  • osseous

    much more technical and used mainly in medical writing

反義詞
  • fleshy

    describes a body or part with plenty of flesh rather than visible bones

  • well-fed

    describes a healthy, non-emaciated appearance rather than one that looks starved

文法句型

skeletal + noun

be + skeletal

用法筆記

Before a noun, this sense often refers to bones or the bony framework of a body. After be, it usually describes a person or animal that looks extremely thin rather than merely slim.

2. reduced to the smallest set of main parts, with only the outline or minimum supp

2.形容詞C1
釋義

reduced to the smallest set of main parts, with only the outline or minimum support left in place

例句

By winter, only a skeletal bus service reached the mountain villages.

skeletal service: running at the minimum possible level

Élise sent a skeletal outline of the report before the full draft.

skeletal outline: only the main points are present

同義詞
  • bare-bones

    more informal and often used for simple plans, budgets, or services

  • rudimentary

    emphasizes being undeveloped rather than merely reduced

  • basic

    broader and less vivid; it does not strongly suggest a stripped-down framework

反義詞
  • comprehensive

    covers many details instead of only the main frame

  • fully staffed

    specifically contrasts with a skeletal staff or service

文法句型

skeletal + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used before nouns like outline, staff, service, or plan. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about something left in bare minimum form, not about actual bones or a thin body.