boney

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "boney" is correct and usable in written English, although it is less common than "bony." You can use it to describe someone or something that has prominent bones or a thin appearance.
Example: "After weeks of illness, he looked boney and frail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Lifestyle

Arts

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Like a giant flamingo, I am left teetering on one boney pink foot stuck inside a frigid ski boot, lowering my goose-bumpy bare foot deep into bottomless cold powder snow.

Independent

It's not about whether you are big, small, lumpy, cuddly, boney, shaped like a dodecahedron, a man, a woman, anywhere on the gender scale or anything else you can think of.

Independent

He could come across them even in Flushing: "just now; 'le retour de la fée,' just now the teener — a long moving picture portrait — seen crossing Roosevelt & Main — autumn sunlight — went into Woolworth — wandered all over store daydream shopping without buying — hair (chestnut) worn down back — light blue sweater — high cheek bones — boney frame — emaciated — wan — but real fée".

The New Yorker

But the Beats had their own hip style that clashed with what the Afro-surrealist Beat Ted Joans (who for a time had shared a cold-water West Village flat with Charlie Parker) called, in 1959, the "silly milly" folksingers, "the squarest of squares," with "their boney banjo-shaped asses".

The New Yorker

"They tried to censor me – and in France!" splutters the 68-year-old, who is tall and stringy, with warm brown eyes, salt-and-pepper bristles, and hair swept back from his long, boney face.

The Guardian

@lechabanais JW Until recently, outside of Northern Ireland, there was probably more awareness of Boney M's cheesy 1977 hit Belfast than of the city's food and drink scene.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

In 2005 the government boycotted the bicentenary of his victory at Austerlitz amid protests over his reintroduction of slavery in the French West Indies.In this section A false dawn Unhappy new year Boney-park The Mediterranean blues Heading home again To opt in or not to opt in ReprintsMr Jégo's team must raise some €200m ($255m) for the park, with construction planned to start in 2014.

The Economist

Unemployment fell in December to 6.8%, the lowest level since 1991.In this section A false dawn Unhappy new year Boney-park The Mediterranean blues Heading home again To opt in or not to opt in ReprintsYet the figures have not been so perky as to suggest the euro-zone economy will avoid recession.

The Economist

Many men worked in construction, which has ground to a halt in Greece.In this section A false dawn Unhappy new year Boney-park The Mediterranean blues Heading home again To opt in or not to opt in ReprintsThere is much anecdotal evidence of Albanians going home, but few statistics.

The Economist

Yet even Watson knew that his vision would be likened to building "a canal to the moon".In this section Beating Boney Waters of wealth Power to the people Our fathers Too tired to Unreal city Gold sheer ReprintsMr Bernstein is at his best in showing how a colourful group of American politicians turned this dream into reality.

The Economist

Evidently he is trying to strike a balance between readability and strict accuracy, and seems to favour the former over the latter.In this section Beating Boney Waters of wealth Power to the people Our fathers Too tired to Unreal city Gold sheer ReprintsDoes this matter?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's appearance, consider the connotations of "boney". It can sometimes sound critical, so ensure it aligns with your intended tone and context.

Common error

While "boney" is acceptable, in professional or academic writing, more precise terms like "thin" or "underweight" might be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "boney" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns by describing their physical characteristics, specifically relating to prominent bones or thinness. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boney" functions as a descriptive adjective primarily used in neutral contexts, particularly within News & Media. While grammatically correct, "boney" should be selected with careful consideration, as it may carry slightly negative connotations. Alternatives like "thin" or "underweight" might be preferable in formal and scientific settings, as Ludwig AI suggests. "Boney" sees frequent use, as confirmed by the numerous examples from reliable sources found by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bony

Direct synonym of "boney" and refers to the state of protruding bones.

skinny

Indicates a noticeable lack of flesh, often implying a less healthy appearance.

scrawny

Suggests thinness coupled with a lack of muscle or strength.

thin

Describes a general lack of body fat, emphasizing slenderness.

underweight

Specifically refers to a condition of weighing less than is healthy or normal.

gaunt

Emphasizes a hollowed or haggard appearance, often due to illness or starvation.

emaciated

Highlights extreme thinness, typically resulting from malnutrition or disease.

skeletal

Draws attention to the prominent bones, making a stark and often unsettling impression.

angular

Focuses on the sharp angles created by protruding bones, particularly in the face.

rawboned

Describes someone with a large frame and little flesh, often suggesting resilience.

FAQs

What does "boney" mean?

"Boney" is an adjective that describes someone or something with prominent bones or a thin appearance. It's an alternative spelling of "bony".

How can I use "boney" in a sentence?

You can use "boney" to describe someone's physical appearance, such as "He had a long, "bony face"".

What are some synonyms for "boney"?

Synonyms for "boney" include "thin", "skinny", "scrawny", and "underweight".

Is it better to use "boney" or "bony"?

Both "boney" and "bony" are acceptable spellings, but "bony" is more common. Choose the spelling that best fits the context and your desired tone.