flesh

12 synonyms and 1 antonym for flesh, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — The soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

tissue muscle meat body form figure build

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

pulp chassis anatomy

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

brawn bod

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

The soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone.

“The surgeon cut through skin and flesh to reach the damaged bone.”

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2. noun

The physical body itself, especially when contrasted with the mind or spirit.

“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak after a long run.”

Opposites

spirit

How to use flesh

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

flesh and blood flesh out an idea flesh wound in the flesh

Etymology

From Old English flaesc ("flesh, meat"), a very old Germanic word shared with German Fleisch and Dutch vlees.

Full origin of flesh →

Frequently asked questions

What does “flesh” mean?

The word “flesh” means the soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone. In plain terms, the soft body tissue on a person, animal, or plant — or, in the phrase "flesh out," to add more detail to something thin or vague.

How do you pronounce “flesh”?

“Flesh” is pronounced flehsh (/flɛʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “flesh” in a sentence?

Here is “flesh” used in a sentence: “The arrow only grazed the flesh, missing the bone entirely.”

What part of speech is “flesh”?

Depending on how it is used, “flesh” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “flesh” come from?

The word “flesh” comes from Old English. From Old English flaesc ("flesh, meat"), a very old Germanic word shared with German Fleisch and Dutch vlees.

Is “flesh” a common word?

“Flesh” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “flesh” have?

“Flesh” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone.

What is the difference between flesh and meat?

Flesh is the soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat. Meat is animal flesh specifically prepared or intended as food. All meat is flesh, but flesh is called "meat" when it is used for eating.

What is the difference between flesh and skin?

Skin is the outer covering of the body, while flesh is the soft tissue beneath it, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone. Skin is the surface layer, and flesh is the softer material underneath.

What is the difference between flesh and body?

Body refers to the whole physical structure, including bones and organs. Flesh refers specifically to the soft tissue, or is used to mean the physical body when contrasted with the mind or spirit, as in "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."

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Nearby words

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