skin and bones

idiom

variants or skin and bone
informal
: very thin in a way that is unattractive and unhealthy
After the illness, he was skin and bones.
The starving dog was nothing but skin and bones.

Examples of skin and bones in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Discard skin and bones from chicken, herb sprigs, and cooked vegetables, reserving broth in Dutch oven. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2025 The devices are also used to treat a variety of other health problems, including carbon monoxide poisoning, diabetic foot ulcers, cerebral palsy, anemia, infection of the skin and bone, as well as vision loss. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025 Rich in nutrients, fiber, and a composition of healthy fats, chia seeds support gut and heart health and healthy skin and bones. Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 22 Jan. 2025 Getting the skin color and texture right was a huge part of White’s challenge, but finding the balance between skin and bones was the real key, as the audience (especially later in the film) gets a real sense of the skeleton underneath Orlok’s emaciated corpse. Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 2 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skin and bones

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skin and bones.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skin%20and%20bones. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!