What does "marrow" mean?
The substance inside bones which produces blood cells.
Marrow
/ˈmæɹəʊ/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The substance inside bones which produces blood cells.
- Grammar: marrow is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: core, essence, kernel, abatis.
- Useful contrasts: periphery, surface.
- Usage evidence: She needs a bone marrow transplant, but she has not found a donor yet.
How to use "marrow"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "marrow" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "marrow" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "marrow" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "marrow" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "marrow" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "core" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "marrow", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The substance inside bones which produces blood cells. uncountable
"Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear."
- 2 A friend, pal, buddy, mate. Geordie, informal
"Cheers marrow!"
- 3 the fatty network of connective tissue that fills the cavities of bones wordnet
- 4 A kind of vegetable similar to a large courgette, zucchini or squash. countable, uncountable
"The finest European vegetables, cabbages, cauliflowers, potatoes, vegetable marrow, were lying in the market-hall, awaiting purchasers."
- 5 A miner's mate or assistant. obsolete, slang
"A 'getter' or miner is paid 1½ to 2 cents per hundred weight of Coals excavated, […] but out of this sum, his "marrows" or assistants who do the business of 'putting' and 'hurrying' for him must be paid […]"
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience wordnet
- 7 The pith of certain plants. countable, uncountable
- 8 One of a pair; a match; a companion; an intimate associate. Scotland, archaic
"The moon’s my constant Mistresse / & the lowlie owle my morrowe. / The flaming Drake and yͤ Nightcrowe make / mee musicke to my sorrowe."
- 9 large elongated squash with creamy to deep green skins wordnet
- 10 The essence; the best part. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"It takes from our achievements[…]/ The pith and marrow of our attribute."
- 11 very tender and very nutritious tissue from marrowbones wordnet
- 12 The inner meaning or purpose. countable, figuratively, uncountable
- 13 any of various squash plants grown for their elongated fruit with smooth dark green skin and whitish flesh wordnet
- 14 Bone marrow biopsy. colloquial, countable
"This patient will have a marrow today."
- 15 Semen. obsolete, uncountable
"Parolles: He wears his honour in a box, unseen / That hugs his kicky-wicky here at home, / Spending his manly marrow in her arms / Of Mars’s fiery steed."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"She needs a bone marrow transplant, but she has not found a donor yet."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "marrow"?
Common synonyms include: core, essence, kernel, abatis, axiom, axis.
How do you use "marrow" in a sentence?
She needs a bone marrow transplant, but she has not found a donor yet.
How do you pronounce "marrow"?
Pronounced /ˈmæɹəʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English mary, marow, marwe, marowȝ, from Old English mearg, from Proto-West Germanic *maʀg, from Proto-Germanic *mazgą, *mazgaz, from Proto-Indo-European *mosgʰos. Compare West Frisian moarch, Dutch merg, German Mark, Swedish märg, Icelandic mergur, and also Russian мозг (mozg, “brain”), Polish mózg (“brain”), Ashkun amōźã, Kamkata-viri muč, muj, Waigali muj, Persian مغز (maġz, “brain”), Sanskrit मज्जन् (majján). Doublet of maghaz.
Etymology 2
From Old Norse margr.