Standard Lemma guide

bare-bones

adj · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Minimalist; lacking that which is not essential.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Meals on early space flights were bare-bones affairs; able to supply nutrition, but severely lacking in palatability.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Describes a computer sold preassembled, but without certain essential components, such as a processor, memory, and hard drive.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

Examples

  • Emil bought a bare-bones rig and a new CPU at the computer show, then popped in his old hard drive.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: minimalistisch — minimalist
  • German: auf ein Minimum reduziert — minimalist
  • Italian: essere all'osso — minimalist
  • Polish: podstawowy — minimalist
  • Polish: uproszczony — minimalist
  • Turkish: barebone — minimalist
  • Turkish: basit — minimalist
  • Turkish: en hayâtî gerçekler — minimalist
  • Māori: rera — skeletal
  • Polish: szkieletowy — skeletal