marrowbones: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Literary/Archaic
Quick answer
What does “marrowbones” mean?
The bones containing edible marrow, especially from large animals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The bones containing edible marrow, especially from large animals.
1. (humorous or dated) A person's knees or shins. 2. (archaic) A dish made from such bones.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more likely to be found in older British culinary contexts or literature. The humorous sense ('on one's marrowbones' meaning kneeling) is chiefly British.
Connotations
In British English, it can carry a rustic, traditional, or comical nuance. In American English, it is a highly specialist culinary term with little cultural resonance.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. Marginally more recognized in the UK due to historical culinary and literary use.
Grammar
How to Use “marrowbones” in a Sentence
N of N (marrowbones of beef)V on one's N (to be on one's marrowbones)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, potentially in historical food studies or literary analysis.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be specific to discussing traditional bone broth or marrow extraction.
Technical
Used in professional butchery or specialist cooking.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marrowbones”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marrowbones”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marrowbones”
- Using it as a singular ('a marrowbone' is correct for one). Confusing it with 'marrow' alone.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as one word ('marrowbones'), though the open compound 'marrow bones' is also accepted, especially in culinary contexts.
Yes. The marrow inside the bones is a prized food, often roasted or used to enrich soups, stews, and sauces.
It is an old-fashioned, chiefly British expression meaning to be kneeling, typically in a state of supplication, prayer, or extreme fatigue.
No, it is quite rare. You will encounter it mainly in historical cooking, specialist butchery, or in reading older literature.
The bones containing edible marrow, especially from large animals.
Marrowbones is usually informal, literary/archaic in register.
Marrowbones: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmær.əʊ.bəʊnz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.oʊ.boʊnz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on one's marrowbones (kneeling, in supplication or exhaustion)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a narrow bone full of MARROW – a MARROWbone.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH/ESSENCE IS MARROW (thus, 'marrowbones' as a source of vitality).
Practice
Quiz
In a dated humorous sense, what can 'marrowbones' refer to?