skulls

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralbiology

   the bones of the head that protect the brain and form the shape of the face.

   Grammar: Plural of skull: several skulls.

   Patterns

   • the skulls of animals

   The museum displayed skulls from several ancient animals.

   Doctors compared the skulls on the X-ray.

   Hard helmets protect our skulls in accidents.

2. 2nounplural

   bone remains of heads, or images of them used as symbols of death or danger.

   Grammar: Often used for decoration or symbols: skulls on a flag.

   Patterns

   • skulls and bones

   The pirate flag showed skulls and crossbones.

   Painted skulls decorate the streets during the festival.

   The warning label had two small skulls on it.

3. 3nounpluralinformalfigurative

   a person's head or mind, in a casual sense.

   Grammar: Informal figurative use.

   Patterns

   • thick skulls

   It took a while to get the idea through their thick skulls.

   The coach said the jokes bounced off their skulls.

   Some people have skulls too hard for advice.

Word forms

Common combinations

human skulls

The cave contained human skulls thousands of years old.

fractured skulls

The patient had fractured skulls in the accident.

skulls and crossbones

The bottle was marked with skulls and crossbones.

crack skulls

The gang boasted about cracking skulls.

thick skulls

Teenagers sometimes seem to have thick skulls.

Synonyms and how they differ

craniums

Craniums is a scientific word for the part of the skull holding the brain.

heads

Heads is general and living, whereas skulls usually means the bones.

bones

Bones is far broader and includes the whole skeleton.

Word family

skull noun

the bony part of the head

skullcap noun

a small close-fitting cap

skullduggery noun

dishonest behavior

cranium noun

the part of the skull holding the brain

Commonly confused: skulls or sculls?

Practice

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