skeleton

Pronunciation

• enPR: skĕˈ -lə-tən or skĕˈ -lət-n; IPA ^(key): /ˈskɛlətən/ or /ˈskɛləʔ.n̩/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular skeleton

Plural skeletons

The backside of a human skeleton

1. A skeleton is the bones that support the body of an animal or person.
2. (figurative) A skeleton is a very thin person.

   She lost so much weight while she was sick that she became a skeleton.

3. (figurative) The skeleton of something is the core of it, the part that give it structure.
4. (architecture) A skeleton is a frame that provides support to a building or other construction.

Related words

• skeletal
• bone

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