flesh
flehsh
Flesh (noun) means the soft tissue of a human or animal body, especially muscle and fat, as distinct from bone. Example: “The surgeon cut through skin and flesh to reach the damaged bone.”
noun
1
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."
"The arrow only grazed the flesh, missing the bone entirely."
"Vegetarians choose not to eat any animal flesh."
2
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."
"Monks spoke of disciplining the flesh as part of their daily prayer life."
"The sermon spoke of the weakness of the flesh against temptation."
3
The soft, edible part of a fruit or vegetable, beneath the skin.
"The flesh of a ripe peach should be soft and juicy."
"Mango flesh is bright orange and very sweet inside its tough skin."
"Scoop out the flesh of the avocado with a spoon."
verb
1
To flesh out: to add detail and substance to something, such as an idea or a plan.
"The author spent months trying to flesh out the minor characters in her novel."
"Could you flesh out your idea with a few more details?"
"We need to flesh out this proposal before pitching it to investors."
How to use flesh
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe soft body tissue on a person, animal, or plant — or, in the phrase "flesh out," to add more detail to something thin or vague.
Common mistake
"In the flesh" means in person, physically present — not literally about skin or muscle.
Common pairings
flesh and blood
flesh out an idea
flesh wound
in the flesh
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Word forms
- Plural
- fleshes
- Third person singular
- fleshes
- Past tense
- fleshed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The surgeon cut through skin and _____ to reach the damaged bone.
Etymology
From Old English flaesc ("flesh, meat"), a very old Germanic word shared with German Fleisch and Dutch vlees.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for flesh
See all rhymes for 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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