bone

[bohn]

bone Definition

• 1. any of the hard pieces that form the skeleton of the body of a vertebrate
• 2. the hard material that bones are made of
• 3. something that is very difficult to do or deal with

Using bone: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bone" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The human body has 206 bones.

• Example

  The dog buried the bone in the backyard.

• Example

  It's hard to find a job in this economy. It's a real bone of contention.

• Example

  The chicken bone was stuck in his throat.

• Example

  He's skin and bone after being lost in the wilderness for a week.

bone Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for bone

• skeleton
• frame
• structure
• osseous tissue

Phrases with bone

• a bone to pick

  a matter or subject that one feels compelled to discuss or argue about

  Example

  I have a bone to pick with you about the way you treated me yesterday.

• make no bones about

  to state a fact or opinion clearly and without hesitation

  Example

  She made no bones about her dislike for the new boss.

• feel it in one's bones

  to have a strong intuition or premonition about something

  Example

  I feel it in my bones that something bad is going to happen.

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Summary: bone in Brief

The term 'bone' [bohn] refers to the hard pieces that make up the skeleton of a vertebrate, as well as the material that bones are made of. It can also be used figuratively to describe something that is very difficult to do or deal with, as in 'finding a job is a real bone of contention.' Phrases like 'a bone to pick' and 'make no bones about' are idiomatic expressions that convey a sense of argument or clarity, while 'feel it in one's bones' means to have a strong intuition.