skeleton
gb/skˈɛlətən/ us/skˈɛlətən/
B1
English
~ 7500
csontváz, élő csontváz, csont és bőr, váz, vázlat, minimális létszámú, csökkentett, szkeleton
NOUN
B1
1
csontváz
B1
Usage pattern:
the skeleton of [someone/something]
The biology teacher used a plastic skeleton to show how the spine supports the body.
A biológiatanár egy műanyag csontváz segítségével mutatta meg, hogyan támasztja alá a gerinc a testet.
Archaeologists discovered a human skeleton buried near the river.
A régészek egy, a folyó közelében eltemetett emberi csontvázat fedeztek fel.
An X-ray lets doctors see your skeleton without cutting into your body.
The dinosaur skeleton in the museum is more than 10 meters long.
A strong skeleton is important for protecting your internal organs.
Learner examples
The child drew a picture of a skeleton for Halloween.
A gyerek Halloweenre egy csontvázat rajzolt.
Our skeleton is made of many different bones.
A csontvázunk sok különböző csontból áll.
They found a skeleton under the old house.
The museum has the skeleton of a big animal.
Calcium helps keep your skeleton strong.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "skeleton" with "skull". The skull is only the bones of the head, while the skeleton is all the bones in the body. Some also use "skeleton" when they just mean a single "bone".
Meaning
framework of bones in a body
Collocations
human skeleton
|animal skeleton
|dinosaur skeleton
|skeleton model
|skeleton remains
|skeletal system
Synonyms
bone structure (Less technical and more descriptive; refers to the arrangement of bones rather than the whole system as a unit.)
Antonyms
flesh (Contrasts the hard bony frame with the soft tissues that cover it.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|body
|education
|animals
|health
Definition
All the bones in a person or animal, seen together as a frame for the body.
The connected structure of bones that supports and gives shape to the body of a person or animal, especially when seen without flesh.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
élő csontváz
B2
csont és bőr
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks like a skeleton
After months of illness, he was a shadow of himself, almost a skeleton.
A hónapokig tartó betegség után már csak árnyéka volt önmagának, szinte élő csontvázként nézett ki.
The stray dog was little more than a skeleton when they found it.
A kóbor kutya alig volt több csontváznál, amikor rátaláltak.
You need to eat more; you look like a skeleton.
War left many people so hungry that they became walking skeletons.
Learner examples
He was very sick and became a skeleton.
Nagyon beteg volt, és élő csontvázzá fogyott.
The dog was so thin it looked like a skeleton.
A kutya olyan sovány volt, hogy úgy nézett ki, mint egy csontváz.
You are too thin; you look like a skeleton.
After the long journey, she felt like a skeleton.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this word about someone in a neutral or positive way, but it can sound rude or harsh in English. It is usually used to show shock, worry, or criticism, not as a simple description like "thin" or "slim".
Meaning
extremely thin person or animal
Collocations
look like a skeleton
|thin as a skeleton
|reduced to a skeleton
|a walking skeleton
Synonyms
skin and bones (Very common informal phrase; sounds slightly more sympathetic or descriptive than calling someone a "skeleton" directly.)
Antonyms
overweight (Describes someone who has more body fat than is healthy, the opposite of being extremely thin.)
Themes
appearance
|health
|emotions
|body
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or animal who is so thin that you can easily see their bones.
A person or animal who is extremely thin, so that their bones can be clearly seen under the skin.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
the skeleton of [a plan/story/report/building]
She had only the skeleton of her essay written the night before the deadline.
A határidő előtti estén még csak a dolgozatának a vázát írta meg.
The architect showed us the metal skeleton of the building before the walls went up.
Az építész megmutatta nekünk az épület fémvázát, mielőtt felhúzták a falakat.
Let's create a skeleton of the presentation and fill in the details later.
The writer already has the skeleton of the plot in mind.
Learner examples
We made a skeleton of the report in our meeting.
Az értekezleten elkészítettük a jelentés vázát.
The story is not finished; I only have the skeleton now.
A történet még nincs kész; most csak a váza van meg.
First write the skeleton of your essay, then add examples.
The metal skeleton of the new bridge is already in place.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "*the bones of a plan" instead of "the skeleton of a plan" or "the outline of a plan". "Skeleton" is used metaphorically for the basic structure but usually not in the plural in this sense.
Meaning
basic structure or outline of something
Collocations
the skeleton of a plan
|basic skeleton
|skeleton framework
|the skeleton of the story
|a rough skeleton
Synonyms
outline (Very close in meaning; more common in everyday speech for plans and texts, while "skeleton" can feel slightly more vivid or figurative.)
Antonyms
detailed version (Emphasizes having many details, the opposite of a bare framework or outline.)
Themes
work
|communication
|education
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The main parts of something, like a plan, story, or building, without the small details.
The basic structure, outline, or framework of something, with only the main parts and not the details.
B2
4
Usage pattern:
a skeleton [staff/crew/service]
The office is run by a skeleton staff over the weekend.
Az irodában hétvégén csak minimális létszámú személyzet dolgozik.
During the holiday period, only a skeleton service will be available.
Az ünnepi időszakban csak csökkentett szolgáltatás lesz elérhető.
A skeleton crew stayed on board to keep the ship running.
The company kept a skeleton operation in the city while moving most work online.
Learner examples
On Sundays, the company has only a skeleton staff.
Vasárnaponként a cégnél csak minimális létszámú személyzet van.
At night, the factory works with a skeleton crew.
Éjszaka a gyár minimális létszámmal működik.
During the strike, the hospital ran a skeleton service.
In August, the school office is open with a skeleton staff.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "*skeleton people" or "*skeleton workers" instead of the fixed phrases "skeleton staff" or "skeleton crew". "Skeleton" in this sense is usually used in these fixed combinations, not on its own.
Meaning
having only the minimum needed
Collocations
skeleton staff
|skeleton crew
|skeleton service
|skeleton operation
Synonyms
minimal (More general and common; "skeleton" is usually used only before certain nouns like staff, crew, or service.)
Antonyms
fully staffed (Describes a situation where all needed workers are present, the opposite of having only a skeleton staff.)
Themes
work
|business
|services
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very small and basic, with only the people or parts that are really needed.
Having only the minimum number of people, parts, or services necessary for something to continue to operate.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
szkeleton
C1
Usage pattern:
to compete in skeleton
She took up skeleton after watching it at the Winter Olympics.
Miután látta a téli olimpián, elkezdett szkeletonozni.
Skeleton athletes reach very high speeds on the ice track.
A szkeletonversenyzők nagyon nagy sebességet érnek el a jégpályán.
He qualified for the national team in skeleton last year.
Learner examples
Skeleton is a fast sport in the Winter Olympics.
A szkeleton gyors sportág a téli olimpián.
In skeleton, the rider goes headfirst on a small sled.
Szkeletonban a versenyző fejjel előre, hason fekve csúszik egy kis szánon.
He trains every day to race in skeleton.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse skeleton with luge or bobsleigh. In skeleton, the rider goes down the track alone, face down, and headfirst; in luge, the rider goes feet first, and in bobsleigh there is a larger sled, usually with a team.
Meaning
winter sport with headfirst sled
Collocations
Olympic skeleton
|skeleton race
|skeleton track
|skeleton sled
|skeleton athlete
Synonyms
sled racing (A broader term; does not specify the headfirst, face-down style that makes skeleton different from luge or bobsleigh.)
Antonyms
figure skating (A very different type of winter sport on ice that is artistic and done on skates, not on a sled.)
Themes
sports
|recreation
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A winter sport where a person lies face down on a small sled and goes down an ice track headfirst.
A winter sliding sport in which one person rides a small sled down an ice track while lying face down and headfirst.
Grammar
Dictionary form
skeleton
IPA
GB/skˈɛlətən/
US/skˈɛlətən/
Syllables & stress
skel - et - on (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (skel)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: skeleton
- Plural: skeletons
Word family
Forms
skeletons
noun
Core family
skeletal
adjective
Advanced or less common
exoskeleton
noun
Expressions
a skeleton in the closet
1/ə skˈɛlətən ˈɪn ðə klˈɑzət/
idiom
an embarrassing secret from the past
An old secret that is shameful or embarrassing and that someone does not want other people to know.
Examples
- Every family has a skeleton in the closet that nobody talks about.
- The politician was afraid a skeleton in the closet would ruin his career.
- Journalists searched for a skeleton in the closet before the election.
a skeleton in the cupboard
1/ə skˈɛlətən ˈɪn ðə kˈʌbɚd/
idiom
embarrassing past secret (UK)
(British English) An old secret that is shameful or embarrassing and that someone does not want other people to know.
Examples
- The minister denied having any skeletons in the cupboard.
- The book reveals a surprising skeleton in the cupboard of the royal family.
have skeletons in the closet
1/hˈæv skˈɛlətənz ˈɪn ðə klˈɑzət/
idiom
have shameful secrets from the past
To have old secrets in your past that are shameful or embarrassing and that you do not want other people to know.
Examples
- Many public figures have skeletons in the closet that they hope will never come out.
- She worries that her skeletons in the closet will affect her new relationship.
skeleton argument
1/skˈɛlətən ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/
fixed phrase
formal
outline of legal arguments
(Especially in British law) A short written paper that gives the main legal arguments in a case, without full detail.
Examples
- Counsel must file a skeleton argument before the hearing.
- The judge asked the lawyers to keep their skeleton arguments to ten pages.
skeleton crew
1/skˈɛlətən kɹˈu/
fixed phrase
very small team to run something
A very small number of people who stay to run a ship, vehicle, or place at a basic level.
Examples
- A skeleton crew stayed on the ship while it was in the harbor.
- At night, a skeleton crew keeps the station running.
skeleton key
1/skˈɛlətən kˈi/
fixed phrase
key that opens many locks
A special key that can open many different locks, not just one.
Examples
- He used a skeleton key to open the old door.
- The locksmith showed us how a skeleton key can open several similar locks.
skeleton staff
1/skˈɛlətən stˈæf/
fixed phrase
minimum number of workers
A very small number of workers who stay to keep a place or service running at a basic level.
Examples
- The hospital is running on a skeleton staff tonight.
- During the holidays the company keeps only a skeleton staff in the office.