Stony Brook University is an internationally recognized R1 research institution that is changing the world. Explore programs and degrees offered for endless career opportunities. The meaning of STONY is abounding in or having the nature of stone : rocky.

Understanding the Context

How to use stony in a sentence. A stony expression or attitude does not show any sympathy or friendliness. She gave me the stoniest look I ever got. He drove us home in stony silence.

Key Insights

1. full of or abounding in stones or rock. 2. resembling or suggesting stone, esp. in its hardness.

Final Thoughts

3. unfeeling; merciless; obdurate. 4. coldly inexpressive: a stony stare. 5. petrifying; stupefying: stony fear.

6. having stones, as fruit. ston′i ness, n. Idiom fall on stony ground (Definition of stony from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press) (figuratively, of an action or expression such as a look) Showing no warmth of emotion; (usually also) emotionally cold, silent, and motionless or nearly so.