marrowbone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (C2)Literary, archaic, historical, or specialized (butchery/cooking).
Quick answer
What does “marrowbone” mean?
A bone containing edible marrow, especially the large bones of animals like cows or sheep.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bone containing edible marrow, especially the large bones of animals like cows or sheep; also, by extension, a term for the knee (from the phrase 'on one's marrowbones', meaning kneeling).
Primarily used literally for the bone itself, but the term has historical and idiomatic use referring to kneeling, supplication, or poverty (e.g., 'to bring someone down to their marrowbones').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is marginally more likely to be encountered in British English due to its presence in older literature and idiomatic expressions. In American English, it is extremely rare outside of specialized contexts.
Connotations
Connotes antiquity, tradition, or rustic simplicity in the literal sense; humility or supplication in the idiomatic sense.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties, but slightly higher historical resonance in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “marrowbone” in a Sentence
[Verb] + marrowbone (e.g., 'simmer a marrowbone')[Adjective] + marrowbone (e.g., 'a rich marrowbone')[Preposition] + marrowbone (e.g., 'on his marrowbones')Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rare, possibly in historical, literary, or culinary studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Mostly understood in the fixed idiom 'on one's marrowbones' by older or well-read speakers.
Technical
Used in butchery, traditional cooking, or dog food/treat contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marrowbone”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marrowbone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marrowbone”
- Using it as a common term for any bone. Misspelling as 'marrow bone' (two words is also acceptable). Using the idiomatic sense in modern, casual contexts where it would sound archaic and odd.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'marrowbone' (as a closed compound) and 'marrow bone' (as an open compound) are acceptable, though the closed form is more traditional, especially in idiomatic use.
Yes, but this is an archaic or literary metonymy. The phrase 'on one's marrowbones' means kneeling, so the 'marrowbones' in that context refer to the knees or the bones involved in kneeling.
No, it is very rare. You are most likely to encounter it in historical fiction, old texts, or specific contexts like traditional butchery or gourmet cooking.
'Marrow' is the soft, fatty substance inside the bone. 'Marrowbone' is the bone itself that contains that edible marrow.
A bone containing edible marrow, especially the large bones of animals like cows or sheep.
Marrowbone is usually literary, archaic, historical, or specialized (butchery/cooking). in register.
Marrowbone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmær.əʊ.bəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.oʊ.boʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on one's marrowbones (kneeling, in supplication or prayer)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a narrow (sounds like 'marrow') bone you have to get down on your knees ('marrowbones') to reach.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BONE AS A SOURCE OF ESSENCE/NOURISHMENT (marrow as life-giving substance); KNEELING AS BEING REDUCED TO ONE'S BONES (a state of humility or abasement).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern understanding of the phrase 'on one's marrowbones'?