visible ribs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "visible ribs" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a physical condition where the ribs are easily seen, often due to low body fat or malnutrition. Example: "After weeks of starvation, the child's visible ribs were a heartbreaking sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The authors of the study describe the bear as having "clearly visible ribs" and being "very skinny".

Independent

Every single model (apart from the woman who has turned to show the racer-back of her bra) has visible ribs, and a couple show clearly visible hip-bones.

Independent

The photos are often emblazoned with slogans such as Kate Moss's "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" and fetishises certain aspects of skinniness, such as jutting hip bones, visible ribs, thigh gaps or indeed the "transformation" itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

This follows comparable issues at Primark and the storm around La Perla's mannequins in May this year – the lingerie store displayed mannequins with visible ribs and another Twitter outcry ensued.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The authority said the model appeared "unhealthily underweight," with a visible rib cage and very thin legs.

The New York Times

Shedding a third of his weight for a part might seem the ghoulish ultimate in actorly masochism — with his sunken cheeks and alarmingly visible rib cage he resembled a famine victim — but Mr. Bale speaks of it almost as a purification rite.

The New York Times

The article in question is titled "Mannequin With Visible Rib Cage Causes Concern" by Kayleen Schaefer, who presents the issue clearly and objectively states the facts.

Huffington Post

The legislation specifically targets the multitude of pro-anorexia sites and forums, which are often seen to glamorize excessive skinniness by promoting unhealthy and unrealistic concepts such as the "thigh gap," a visible rib cage, or jutting hip and chest bones.

Vice

The material has been "sonically welded," a process that uses high pressure and sound waves to combine layers of fabric, so there are no visible roof ribs from inside the cabin.

Forbes

In 2011, the watchdog banned an online advert for the clothing brand Drop Dead, for using a size-8 girl in a bikini with "highly visible" hip, rib and collar bones.

The Guardian

She stood with her shoulders slightly hunched, her ribs visible, her lack of breasts visible, her surgery scars visible.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's or animal's physical condition, use "visible ribs" to denote a state of thinness or malnourishment. Ensure the context clarifies whether it's due to a natural body type or an unhealthy state.

Common error

Avoid using "visible ribs" in overly dramatic or exaggerated ways that could be insensitive or perpetuate harmful stereotypes about body image. Maintain a factual and respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "visible ribs" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "ribs". It indicates a physical characteristic of the ribs being easily seen. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms the phrase's correctness. The examples showcase its use in describing states of thinness or anatomical features.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "visible ribs" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the prominence of ribs, often indicating thinness or malnutrition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. While its tone is generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of sensitivity when describing individuals' bodies. Alternatives like ""prominent ribs"" or ""exposed ribs"" offer similar meanings. Usage frequency is uncommon, with the highest occurrences in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ribs easily seen

A more descriptive way of saying the ribs are apparent without effort.

ribs showing

A simpler way to state that the ribs are apparent.

prominent ribs

Focuses on the projection or prominence of the ribs, suggesting they stand out.

rib cage visible

Highlights the entire rib cage structure being seen.

ribs apparent

A more formal way to say the ribs are noticeable.

exposed ribs

Emphasizes the lack of covering or protection over the ribs, implying vulnerability.

clearly defined ribs

Suggests the ribs are easily distinguishable due to lack of fat or muscle.

ribs sticking out

Emphasizes the outward projection of the ribs, often indicating extreme thinness.

underlying ribs visible

Highlights that ribs which are normally not seen, are now visible.

sunken chest

Suggests a concavity where the ribs are, not just that they are visible.

FAQs

How can I describe "visible ribs" without using those exact words?

Alternatives include "prominent ribs", "exposed ribs", or "ribs showing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have "visible ribs"?

Not necessarily. While often associated with malnutrition or extreme thinness, some individuals may naturally have a body type where their ribs are more visible. Context is crucial in determining whether it indicates a health issue.

What does it mean when a medical description mentions "visible ribs"?

In a medical context, "visible ribs" typically indicates a lack of subcutaneous fat, which can be a sign of malnutrition, wasting diseases, or simply a low body fat percentage. Further evaluation is usually required to determine the underlying cause.

In animal care, what does "visible ribs" indicate?

In animal care, "visible ribs" can be a tool for assessing body condition. Ideally, ribs should be palpable but not overly "prominent ribs". Overly visible ribs indicate the animal may be underweight and require nutritional intervention.