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esqueleto

es-keh-LEH-toh/eskeˈleto/

“esqueleto” means “skeleton” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

skeleton

Also: bones
NounmA2
A complete human skeleton standing upright against a plain blue background.

📝 In Action

El esqueleto humano protege los órganos internos.

A2

The human skeleton protects the internal organs.

Vimos un esqueleto de dinosaurio gigante en el museo.

B1

We saw a giant dinosaur skeleton at the museum.

Para Halloween, mi hermano se vistió de esqueleto.

A2

For Halloween, my brother dressed up as a skeleton.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • osamenta (bony remains)
  • armazón (framework)

Antonyms

  • carne (flesh)
  • músculo (muscle)

Common Collocations

  • esqueleto humano – human skeleton
  • hecho un esqueleto – nothing but skin and bones

Idioms & Expressions

  • mover el esqueleto – to dance or shake your booty
  • tener un esqueleto en el armario – to have a secret you are ashamed of

framework

Also: outline, shell
NounmB2
The wooden frame of a small house under construction.

📝 In Action

Ya terminé el esqueleto de mi novela.

B2

I already finished the outline of my novel.

Solo queda el esqueleto metálico del edificio tras el incendio.

C1

Only the metal framework of the building remains after the fire.

Necesitamos un esqueleto sólido para este proyecto de negocio.

B2

We need a solid framework for this business project.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • esqueleto de la obra – framework of the work/project
  • el esqueleto del edificio – the frame of the building

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: esqueleto

Question 1 of 3

If your Spanish friend says '¡Vamos a mover el esqueleto!', what do they want to do?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
esquelético(skeletal / very thin) — Adjective
hueso(bone) — Noun
osamenta(bony remains) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Greek word 'skeletos', which actually meant 'dried up' or 'withered', referring to a mummy or a dried body.

First recorded: 16th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: skeletonFrench: squeletteItalian: scheletro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'esqueleto' used for animals too?

Yes! You can use it for any vertebrate animal, from a tiny bird to a massive whale.

Can I use 'esqueleto' to mean a very thin person?

Yes, but it's quite informal and can be a bit rude. It's usually heard in the phrase 'estar hecho un esqueleto'.

Is it different from 'osamenta'?

'Esqueleto' is the general word. 'Osamenta' is a bit more formal or scientific and often refers to a collection of loose bones or a carcass found in nature.