shoulder blade: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “shoulder blade” mean?
The large, flat triangular bone located at the back of each shoulder.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The large, flat triangular bone located at the back of each shoulder; the scapula.
A metaphorical reference to strength, bearing burdens, or a central structural point.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use 'shoulder blade' predominantly. 'Scapula' is the formal anatomical term in both.
Connotations
Neutral and anatomical in both varieties. No significant connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally common and standard in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “shoulder blade” in a Sentence
Verb + shoulder blade: fracture/dislocate/feel ~Adjective + shoulder blade: broken/prominent/aching ~Preposition + shoulder blade: pain in the ~, muscle around the ~Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shoulder blade” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The physio asked him to shoulder-blade squeeze to improve his posture.
adjective
British English
- He had a shoulder-blade fracture from the fall.
American English
- She felt a shoulder-blade pain after the long drive.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; possible in workplace health contexts (e.g., 'ergonomics to prevent shoulder blade pain').
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and anatomical texts and lectures.
Everyday
Common when discussing injuries, pain, posture, or physical descriptions.
Technical
The standard lay term for the scapula in medical communication with patients.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shoulder blade”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shoulder blade”
- Misspelling as 'shoulder blaid' or 'shoulderblade' (though the latter is sometimes accepted as a compound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as two separate words: 'shoulder blade'. The hyphenated form 'shoulder-blade' is sometimes used as a modifier.
The 'shoulder' is the entire joint complex where the arm connects to the torso. The 'shoulder blade' (scapula) is the specific flat, triangular bone at the back of that joint.
Standard dictionaries do not list it as a verb. Rare, non-standard usage might occur in specific contexts like physiotherapy ('shoulder-blade squeeze'), but it is not established.
Yes, the plural is 'shoulder blades', referring to both the left and right scapulae.
The large, flat triangular bone located at the back of each shoulder.
Shoulder blade is usually neutral in register.
Shoulder blade: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊldə ˌbleɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊldər ˌbleɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A broad shoulder blade”
- “Carry the weight on one's shoulder blades (rare/metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'blade' of grass—flat and thin. The shoulder blade is the flat, blade-like bone on your back.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A STRUCTURE; BONES ARE FRAMEWORK/SUPPORTS.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary, formal anatomical term for 'shoulder blade'?