Standard Lemma guide

boneshaker

noun · 3 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

noun

Meaning 1

A velocipede (the bicycle of the late 1860s).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Something jolty.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • a boneshaker of a journey
  • The car was a real boneshaker.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

any wheeled vehicle that is dilapidated and uncomfortable

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • that old bike without rubber tires was a real boneshaker

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: wheeled vehicle

History

Etymology

From bone + shaker, from the uncomfortableness of the ride.