When we describe someone as bony, it means they are very thin, so much so that their bones can be easily seen or felt. For example, you might describe a supermodel's delicate shoulders as bony.
This adjective can also refer to parts of the body that are naturally prominent because of bone structure, like bony elbows or bony knees. Think about how a skeleton is entirely bony.
Beyond people, bony can also describe things made of or resembling bone, often in a scientific or anatomical context. For instance, a scientist might refer to the bony plates of an armadillo.
It emphasizes the skeletal aspect of something, suggesting a lack of flesh or a strong presence of bone. So, it's not just about being thin, but specifically about the visibility or prominence of bones.
Gramática essencial
Adjective placement: Adjectives like 'bony' typically come before the noun they modify (attributive position) or after a linking verb (predicative position).
She has bony fingers. (attributive) / His face was bony. (predicative)
Comparatives and superlatives: 'Bony' can form comparatives and superlatives using 'more/most' or by adding '-er/-est' for certain informal contexts, though 'more/most bony' is generally preferred.
He looked more bony after his illness. / She had the boniest wrists I'd ever seen.
Contextual usage: The meaning of 'bony' can shift slightly based on context. When describing a person or animal, it often implies thinness. When describing an object, it means made of or resembling bone.
The bony hand reached out. (thin) / The paleontologist studied the bony fragments. (made of bone)
Synonyms and nuances: 'Bony' often carries a connotation of being unhealthily thin or gaunt. Differentiating it from synonyms like 'thin,' 'skeletal,' or 'emaciated' based on context and desired nuance is important.
She was thin, but not bony. (implies a distinction in degree of thinness)
Part of speech identification: Recognizing 'bony' as an adjective is crucial for correct sentence construction, as it modifies nouns and pronouns.
The bony structure of the fish was visible. (modifies 'structure')
Exemplos por nível
She was so thin that her bony shoulders stuck out.
Ella estaba tan delgada que sus hombros huesudos sobresalían.
Here, 'bony' describes the shoulders, indicating they are thin with visible bones.
You could see the bony structure of his wrist.
Se podía ver la estructura ósea de su muñeca.
In this sentence, 'bony' describes the structure of the wrist, referring to the bones.
The old dog was very bony after being sick for a while.
El perro viejo estaba muy huesudo después de estar enfermo por un tiempo.
'Bony' here describes the dog's overall thinness due to illness.
He had long, bony fingers that were good for playing the piano.
Tenía dedos largos y huesudos que eran buenos para tocar el piano.
Here, 'bony' describes the fingers, suggesting they are thin and prominent.
She felt the bony ridge of his spine under her hand.
Ella sintió la cresta ósea de su columna bajo su mano.
'Bony' describes the ridge of the spine, referring to the bone.
The bird's legs were quite bony and delicate.
Las patas del pájaro eran bastante huesudas y delicadas.
'Bony' describes the bird's legs, indicating their thinness and bone structure.
After weeks in the hospital, his face looked bony and pale.
Después de semanas en el hospital, su rostro lucía huesudo y pálido.
Here, 'bony' describes the face, implying a loss of flesh and visible bones.
She wore a big sweater to cover her bony frame.
Ella usó un suéter grande para cubrir su figura huesuda.
'Bony frame' refers to a thin body shape where bones are prominent.
The stray dog was so bony that every rib was visible beneath its matted fur.
El perro callejero estaba tan huesudo que cada costilla era visible debajo de su pelaje enmarañado.
Describes a physical state.
Her bony fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the teacup.
Sus dedos huesudos temblaron ligeramente mientras alcanzaba la taza de té.
Modifies a body part.
He had a long, bony face with sharp features that gave him a rather gaunt appearance.
Tenía un rostro largo y huesudo con rasgos afilados que le daban una apariencia bastante demacrada.
Describes a physical characteristic.
After weeks of illness, he became quite bony, losing a significant amount of weight.
Después de semanas de enfermedad, se puso bastante huesudo, perdiendo una cantidad significativa de peso.
Indicates a change in physical condition.
The old woman's bony knees cracked audibly as she knelt to tend her garden.
Las rodillas huesudas de la anciana crujieron audiblemente mientras se arrodillaba para cuidar su jardín.
Describes a physical characteristic and implies age/thinness.
Paleontologists study bony structures to understand the evolution of ancient creatures.
Los paleontólogos estudian las estructuras óseas para comprender la evolución de las criaturas antiguas.
Refers to things made of bone, scientific context.
The bony plates of the stegosaurus provided a formidable defense against predators.
Las placas óseas del estegosaurio proporcionaban una defensa formidable contra los depredadores.
Describes a part of an animal's anatomy, biological context.
Beneath the thin soil, they discovered a bony fragment, suggesting the presence of prehistoric life.
Debajo de la tierra delgada, descubrieron un fragmento óseo, lo que sugiere la presencia de vida prehistórica.
Refers to a piece of bone, archaeological context.
Sinônimos
Antônimos
Teste-se 66 perguntas
The cat was so thin, you could see its ___ ribs.
'Bony' describes something very thin where bones are visible, which fits the description of a very thin cat's ribs.
She had ___ fingers because she was very thin.
'Bony' is used to describe a part of the body that is very thin, allowing the bone structure to be seen.
The old man had ___ knees.
When someone is thin, their knees can appear 'bony' because the bone structure is more prominent.
After being sick, he looked very ___.
If someone is very thin after being sick, 'bony' is a suitable word to describe their appearance.
The bird's legs were thin and ___.
Birds often have thin legs where the bones are easily seen, making 'bony' an appropriate description.
You can see the ___ structure of the fish.
Fish have a 'bony' structure (skeleton), which fits the anatomical context of the word.
My cat is very thin. She is so ___.
'Bony' means very thin, so thin that you can see bones.
The old dog was very ___ because he didn't eat much.
If someone or an animal is very thin, they can be described as bony.
Which word describes a very thin person?
'Bony' is used to describe someone who is very thin.
A bony person is very thin.
The definition of 'bony' is very thin, so thin that bones can be seen or felt.
A bony arm is a fat arm.
'Bony' means thin, not fat.
If you see someone's bones, they are probably bony.
'Bony' describes someone whose bone structure is easily seen or felt because they are very thin.
Look at the picture of a very thin cat. Write one sentence to describe its body using the word 'bony'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The cat is very bony.
Imagine you are drawing a skeleton. Write one sentence using the word 'bony' to describe what a skeleton is made of.
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Sample answer
A skeleton is bony.
Your friend is very thin. Write a simple sentence to describe their hand using the word 'bony'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My friend has bony hands.
What kind of back does the dog have?
Read this passage:
My dog is very thin. You can see its bones easily. It has a bony back.
What kind of back does the dog have?
The passage says 'It has a bony back.'
The passage says 'It has a bony back.'
What did the tree branch look like?
Read this passage:
The old tree branch was very thin. It looked like a long, bony arm reaching out.
What did the tree branch look like?
The passage states, 'It looked like a long, bony arm reaching out.'
The passage states, 'It looked like a long, bony arm reaching out.'
What were the bird's legs like?
Read this passage:
The small bird had very thin legs. They were bony and delicate.
What were the bird's legs like?
The passage says, 'They were bony and delicate.'
The passage says, 'They were bony and delicate.'
Which of these describes someone who is bony?
The definition of 'bony' describes someone or a part of the body that is very thin, allowing the underlying bone structure to be seen or felt.
If an animal has bony fins, what does that mean?
'Bony' can refer to anything made of or resembling bone, especially in anatomical contexts, so bony fins would have noticeable bone structures.
Which sentence uses 'bony' correctly?
This sentence correctly uses 'bony' to describe the dog's thinness due to lack of food, making its bones noticeable.
A 'bony' person is usually very muscular.
The word 'bony' describes someone who is very thin, not muscular.
If you describe a fish as having 'bony' parts, you are referring to its skeleton.
In anatomical contexts, 'bony' refers to structures made of or resembling bone, such as a skeleton.
You can use 'bony' to describe a soft and fluffy pillow.
'Bony' means thin with visible bones or resembling bone, which is the opposite of soft and fluffy.
The sentence describes the appearance of someone's hands.
Listen for a description of a dog's physique.
Focus on the description of a person's face.
Read this aloud:
The artist drew a bony skeleton for the art class.
Focus: bony, skeleton
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Despite being very thin, her bony fingers were surprisingly strong.
Focus: bony, fingers, surprisingly
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The doctor examined the bony structure of his wrist.
Focus: bony, structure, wrist
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This sentence describes the cat's thinness due to illness.
This sentence uses 'bony' to describe thin fingers.
This sentence describes a thin face with 'bony' features.
The old dog was so thin that its ribs were clearly visible, making it look quite ______.
The word 'bony' describes someone or something that is very thin, allowing bones to be seen or felt, which fits the description of the old, thin dog.
Despite being an excellent athlete, his frame remained quite ______ due to his intense training regimen and naturally lean build.
The context implies a lean build where bones might be prominent, which 'bony' accurately describes. 'Muscular' is related but focuses on muscle mass, not visible bones.
Which of the following best describes a 'bony' figure?
The definition of 'bony' specifically refers to being very thin, allowing the underlying bone structure to be seen or felt.
A person described as 'bony' typically has a lot of body fat.
The word 'bony' describes someone who is very thin, meaning they have little body fat, allowing their bones to be easily seen or felt.
The term 'bony' can refer to something made of or resembling bone.
The definition explicitly states that 'bony' can also refer to anything made of or resembling bone, particularly in biological or anatomical contexts.
When someone is described as 'bony', it usually implies they are very strong and muscular.
'Bony' primarily describes thinness and visible bone structure, not necessarily strength or musculature. While a strong person can be lean, 'bony' emphasizes the lack of flesh.
The sentence describes someone's hands.
The sentence is about an animal's physical condition.
The sentence discusses a discovery related to ancient life.
Read this aloud:
The marathon runner's bony frame hinted at the intense training he endured.
Focus: bony frame, intense training
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Despite his bony appearance, he possessed surprising strength.
Focus: bony appearance, surprising strength
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Read this aloud:
The sculpture depicted a bony hand reaching towards the sky.
Focus: bony hand, reaching towards
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Describe a character using the word 'bony'. Focus on their physical appearance and how their 'bony' nature might influence their demeanor or movement. Aim for a paragraph of 3-4 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Her frame was noticeably bony, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. Every movement seemed to highlight the sharp angles of her shoulders and wrists. Despite her delicate build, there was a surprising resilience in her gaze, suggesting that her seemingly fragile exterior belied an inner strength.
Imagine you are a doctor explaining a condition where bones are becoming prominent due to significant weight loss. Use the word 'bony' to describe the physical changes. Write a short explanation (2-3 sentences) for a patient.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
We've observed that your recent weight loss has made your bone structure quite bony and prominent, especially around your ribs and collarbone. This is a common physical change when the body sheds a significant amount of mass, making the underlying skeletal frame more visible. We'll monitor this as we work on improving your nutritional intake.
Write a short descriptive sentence using 'bony' to refer to something made of or resembling bone, not necessarily human. For example, a bony fish or a bony structure.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
The ancient fossil displayed a surprisingly intact bony structure, revealing the intricate skeletal framework of a prehistoric bird.
What does the passage imply about the old man's physical appearance?
Read this passage:
Despite his considerable height, the old man possessed a surprisingly bony frame. His hands, gnarled with age, were particularly bony, with veins standing out like rivers on a dried-up map. He often wore oversized sweaters, perhaps to conceal the stark reality of his physical condition, yet the sharp angles of his shoulders were still discernible beneath the fabric.
What does the passage imply about the old man's physical appearance?
The passage uses 'bony frame', 'particularly bony hands', and 'sharp angles of his shoulders' to clearly indicate that the old man was very thin and gaunt.
The passage uses 'bony frame', 'particularly bony hands', and 'sharp angles of his shoulders' to clearly indicate that the old man was very thin and gaunt.
What aspect of the prehistoric creature is being described using the word 'bony'?
Read this passage:
The paleontologist carefully examined the fossilized remains. It was a remarkable specimen, showcasing the intricate bony plates that once protected the prehistoric creature. These bony structures, though now stone, still hinted at the formidable defense mechanism the animal possessed against its ancient predators.
What aspect of the prehistoric creature is being described using the word 'bony'?
The passage states 'intricate bony plates that once protected the prehistoric creature' and 'These bony structures... still hinted at the formidable defense mechanism', directly linking 'bony' to its protective features.
The passage states 'intricate bony plates that once protected the prehistoric creature' and 'These bony structures... still hinted at the formidable defense mechanism', directly linking 'bony' to its protective features.
According to the passage, what is a direct consequence of insufficient nutrition that makes limbs appear 'bony'?
Read this passage:
During times of famine, it's not uncommon to see people with gaunt faces and bony limbs. The lack of sufficient nutrition causes the body to consume its fat and muscle reserves, leading to a skeletal appearance where bones become noticeably prominent beneath the skin. This physical state is a clear indicator of severe malnourishment.
According to the passage, what is a direct consequence of insufficient nutrition that makes limbs appear 'bony'?
The passage explicitly states, 'The lack of sufficient nutrition causes the body to consume its fat and muscle reserves, leading to a skeletal appearance where bones become noticeably prominent beneath the skin.'
The passage explicitly states, 'The lack of sufficient nutrition causes the body to consume its fat and muscle reserves, leading to a skeletal appearance where bones become noticeably prominent beneath the skin.'
Which of the following best describes a 'bony' person?
The definition of 'bony' specifically refers to someone who is very thin, making their bones prominent.
In an anatomical context, what could be described as 'bony'?
The definition states that 'bony' can refer to anything made of or resembling bone, particularly in biological or anatomical contexts.
The sculptor accentuated the ___ features of the skeleton in his new exhibit.
The word 'bony' is the most appropriate adjective to describe the features of a skeleton, emphasizing its bone structure.
A 'bony' hand would typically have noticeable knuckles and visible veins due to a lack of subcutaneous fat.
A bony hand is characterized by thinness, which would make knuckles more prominent and veins more visible.
The term 'bony' is generally used to describe someone with a robust and muscular physique.
The term 'bony' describes someone who is very thin, not robust and muscular.
An animal's 'bony' plates offer a form of protection.
If 'bony' refers to something made of bone, then bony plates, like those found on some reptiles, would indeed offer protection.
The sentence describes someone's physical appearance while climbing.
This sentence relates to a scientific field and discovered objects.
The sentence contrasts physical attributes.
Read this aloud:
The artist sketched the model's bony structure, emphasizing the angles of her collarbone.
Focus: bony, structure, emphasizing
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He described the ancient fish as having a surprisingly bony skeleton, unlike modern species.
Focus: bony, skeleton, modern species
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Read this aloud:
The marathon runner's bony frame hinted at the intense training she had undergone.
Focus: bony, frame, undergone
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Exemplo
The stray dog was so bony that you could count every one of its ribs.
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face
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