[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/skeleton/)

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# skeleton

noun (a skeleton, skeletons); adjective (skeleton — the smallest number needed: skeleton staff)

«skeleton» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The frame of bones that supports and protects the body of a human or an animal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#m1)
2. A model or picture of these bones, often used in science lessons or at Halloween. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#m2)
3. The main frame or structure of something, like a building or a story plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#m3)
4. Skeleton staff / crew: the smallest number of people needed to keep something running. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#m4)
5. A skeleton in the cupboard/closet: an embarrassing secret. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#m5)
6. A skeleton can also mean a person who is extremely thin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#m6)

### In the lessons

In science the skeleton has three jobs: support, protection (skull protects the brain, ribs protect heart and lungs) and movement (with muscles at joints). An adult human has 206 bones; babies have more that later join. Some animals have exoskeletons (outside skeletons) like insects and crabs; vertebrates have a backbone. Phrases: human skeleton, skeleton key, skeleton in the closet, skeleton staff.

### Examples

- The skeleton protects our heart and brain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x1)
- An adult human skeleton has 206 bones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x2)
- Insects have a skeleton on the outside called an exoskeleton. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x3)
- We saw a dinosaur skeleton at the museum. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x4)
- Your skeleton and muscles work together so you can move. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x5)
- We made a plan — a skeleton of our story — before writing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x6)
- She dressed up as a skeleton for Halloween. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x7)
- Over the holidays the office runs with a skeleton staff. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x8)
- Till thy skin shrivels up and thou art a skeleton! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/#x9)

### Note

Countable: a skeleton, skeletons. Babies are born with about 300 bones, some of which fuse, giving 206 in adults. «Skeleton in the cupboard» (UK) = «skeleton in the closet» (US).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «skeleton» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/skeleton/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«skeleton» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/skeleton.html) on Mova free.