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Synonyms

boner

1 American  
[boh-ner] / ˈboʊ nər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that bones.

  2. Slang: Vulgar. an erection of the penis.

boner 2 American  
[boh-ner] / ˈboʊ nər /

noun

Slang.

  1. a foolish and obvious blunder; stupid mistake.

    Inviting both members of the newly divorced couple was a dreadful boner.
boner British  
/ ˈbəʊnə /

noun

  1. slang a blunder

  2. slang an erection of the penis

  3. a low-grade slaughtered animal suitable for use in pies, sausages, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of boner1

First recorded in 1895–1900; bone + -er 1

Origin of boner2

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; bone(head) + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

New to politics, new to public affairs, he made many a boner.

From Time Magazine Archive

In August 1939, Pundit Kaltenborn confesses, he made a prize boner.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sen. Mc Carthy in turn has pulled the boner of questioning, by inference, the President's enmity to Communism.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Ezra," said he, "you pulled a boner and the thing to do is admit it."

From Time Magazine Archive

Sixteen years went by before the Lewis brothers, one a butcher, the other a beef boner, became the first black hires in the Yard.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.