bone

noun

UK/bəʊn/
US/boʊn/

Definitions of bone noun

  1. B1CountableUncountable

    One of the hard parts inside a human or animal that makes up its skeleton.

    • The child was so emaciated that her bones were visible.

    • Human and animal bones were found in the archaeological dig.

    • He fractured a bone when he fell.

  2. B1CountableUncountable

    The hard, calcified tissue found within meat or fish.

    • There are still some bones in this chicken leg, be careful when eating.

    • He carefully removed the small bones from the fish.

    • This steak has a large bone.

verb

UK/bəʊn/
US/boʊn/

Definitions of bone verb

sex

  1. TransitiveIntransitiveoffensive

    To engage in sexual intercourse with someone.

food

  1. Transitive

    To remove the bones from something, such as meat or fish.

    • She prefers to bone the chicken before cooking.

    • The chef at this restaurant is skilled at boning fish.

    • He boned the leg of lamb for easier eating.

Idioms

  • bone dry

    Extremely dry; completely without moisture.

    The land is cracked and bone dry.

  • bone idle

    Extremely lazy; unwilling to work or make any effort.

    He never does any exercise; he's bone idle.

  • make no bones about something

    To state something clearly and directly, without attempting to conceal one's feelings or opinions.

    She made no bones about saying that she didn't think the plan would work.

  • have a bone to pick with someone

    To want to express your annoyance or disagreement with someone about something they have done.

    I have a bone to pick with you; you hit my car yesterday while driving.

  • a bone of contention

    an issue or subject that causes persistent disagreement or conflict

    The piece of land has been a bone of contention between the family members.

  • to the bone

    Completely or extremely; to an intense degree.

    After walking so long in the cold weather, I felt chilled to the bone.

Phrasal Verbs of bone

  • bone up

    to thoroughly study or review a subject with a specific purpose in mind

    Before the exam, she decided to bone up on all the materials.