cheekbones

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cheekbones" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the prominent bones in the face, often in contexts related to beauty, anatomy, or facial features. Example: "Her high cheekbones gave her a striking and elegant appearance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So sure, we can notice, and even praise, the elegance of her cheekbones or her resemblance to Jessica Lange.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just inside, children labour hard to prepare storm ditches for the coming rains, digging out the stinking mud, watched by a sullen adult and a young girl with no expression on her face beyond that shaped by her skinny cheekbones.

The Guardian

She stalks the stage, cheekbones gleaming, singing with fire and moving with a profound sensuality.

The Guardian - Music

It's traditional that these are fronted by someone with good language skills, a background in acting and drop-dead gorgeous cheekbones.

The Guardian - Film

What you focus on, when he’s onscreen, is the mobile central portion of his face, but, close up, his angular cheekbones and wide-set, almond-shaped brown eyes are striking.

The Guardian - Film

As the curtain rises at the Sydney Theatre, she sits centre-stage, a still figure in a white blouse and trousers, blond hair, high cheekbones.

The Economist

That was the work of the plastic surgeons who had pioneered beauty treatment, sawing away outsize noses and tightening withered skin over unforgiving cheekbones, via a general anaesthetic, scars and bruising.

The Economist

The advert is fronted by a man with the high cheekbones and shoulder-length hair of an Italian footballer, who says "'yes' to Europe and 'no' to the constitution".

The Economist

Most computerised face-recognition systems work by building a template based on 30 or so "markers"—the positions of the edges of the eyes, the cheekbones, the base of the nose, and so on.

The Economist

The people here have the look high cheekbones, jet-black hair, round faces of Tibetans, the more so as many are dressed in traditional red and purple clothes, some with yak-wool hats, as they gather to hear a visiting Buddhist leader at the monastery.Yet it is impossible to forget the military presence.

The Economist

Never have cheekbones been so sharp a metaphor for granite tenacity.Thatcher loyalists are outraged that their heroine should be portrayed as decrepit, on the brink of dementia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's appearance, use "cheekbones" to specifically highlight this facial feature, as it often contributes to an individual's distinct look. For instance, "Her high cheekbones and piercing eyes made her instantly recognizable."

Common error

Avoid using "cheekbones" in overly casual conversation where simpler terms like "face" or "appearance" suffice. Overusing anatomical terms can sound stilted or pretentious in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cheekbones" is as a noun, typically used in the plural form. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it refers to the bones forming the prominent part of the face below the eyes. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

31%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Academic sources

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "cheekbones" correctly refers to the facial bones below the eyes and is most frequently used in the plural form. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and common across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. It serves to describe a person's appearance or discuss anatomy. When writing, use "cheekbones" to highlight a distinct facial feature. Avoid overuse in overly casual contexts. Related terms include "malar prominences" or "zygomatic arches" for anatomical references. The high frequency and correct usage across authoritative sources affirm its place in the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high cheekbones

This specifies the positioning of the cheekbones, often associated with beauty.

prominent cheekbones

Similar to "defined cheekbones", but focuses on how much they stand out.

defined cheekbones

This emphasizes the distinctness and visibility of the cheekbones.

chiseled cheekbones

This term suggests a sculpted, sharp appearance of the cheekbones.

malar prominences

This alternative provides a more technical, anatomical term for the same feature.

zygomatic arches

Similar to "malar prominences", this offers another anatomical reference.

facial structure

This broader term encompasses cheekbones as part of the overall face shape.

bone structure

A more generic term referring to the underlying bones of the face, including cheekbones.

facial bones

A broader term encompassing all the bones in the face.

hollow cheeks

This indirectly references cheekbones by describing the adjacent area, often emphasizing their definition.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who has prominent "cheekbones"?

You can say they have "high cheekbones", "defined cheekbones", or "chiseled cheekbones". Each term adds a slightly different nuance to the description.

What's the anatomical term for "cheekbones"?

The anatomical terms for "cheekbones" are "malar bone" or "zygomatic bone".

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "cheekbones"?

The term "cheekbones" is suitable in contexts discussing physical appearance, anatomy, fashion, beauty, or facial recognition technology.

What are some related features that are often mentioned alongside "cheekbones"?

Features often mentioned alongside "cheekbones" include the "jawline", "eyes", and overall "facial structure".