- lacking a backbone; invertebrate
- having no spiny processes: spineless stems
- lacking strength of character, resolution, or courage
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
spine•less /ˈspaɪnlɪs/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Zoologyhaving no spine or backbone.
- Zoologyhaving no spines or quills.
- without resolution or courage:He was a spineless coward.
spine•less
(spīn′lis),USA pronunciation adj.
spine′less•ly, adv.
spine′less•ness, n.
- Zoologyhaving no spines or quills.
- Zoologyhaving no spine or backbone.
- Pathologyhaving a weak spine;
limp. - without moral force, resolution, or courage;
feeble:a spineless, lily-livered coward.
- spine + -less 1820–30
spine′less•ness, n.
- 4. weak, irresolute, indecisive.
- 4. strong, resolute.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
spineless /ˈspaɪnlɪs/ adj
'spineless' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):