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Definition of bony

bony

/ˈboʊ.ni/
bo · ny
Adverb:bonily
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bony Lexical Profile

bony Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Having so little flesh that the bones are prominent beneath the skin; very thin or gaunt.

Example

"The stray dog was so bony that we could easily count every one of its ribs."

2

Consisting of, resembling, or relating to bone.

Example

"Turtles and tortoises are protected by a hard, bony shell composed of fused ribs and vertebrae."

3

Full of bones, especially of fish prepared as food.

Example

"Shad is a notoriously bony fish that requires great skill and patience to fillet cleanly."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

'Bony' is the standard spelling in both American and British English, though 'boney' is occasionally encountered as an informal variant.

• Rhymes for bony

• Nearby Words

bonsai
bontebok
bonus
bony
boo
boob
booboo

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in late Middle English from the noun 'bone' (from Old English 'bān') combined with the adjective-forming suffix '-y'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bony. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bony
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