Mealy
adjective
Having a texture or surface like meal (a type of ground-up grain).
The potatoes had a dry, mealy texture.
Often appears as...
- mealy texture
- mealy surface
adjective
Light colored or pale, often used to describe complexions.
His face looked unusually mealy out in the winter snow.
Often appears as...
- mealy complexion
- mealy skin
adjective
Of a fruit or vegetable: Dry, rough, or powdery in texture, not juicy.
The apples tasted stale and mealy.
Often appears as...
- mealy apples
- mealy vegetables
adjective
Cowardly or lacking conviction; flaky.
The mealy-mouthed politician avoided giving a direct answer.
Often appears as...
- mealy-mouthed criticism
- mealy-mouthed response
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Covered with or resembling meal or powder.
There was a mealy residue left behind after grinding the grain.
Often appears as...
- mealy residue
- mealy powder
adjective
Having a texture or surface like meal (a type of ground-up grain).
The potatoes had a dry, mealy texture.
Often appears as...
- mealy texture
- mealy surface
adjective
Light colored or pale, often used to describe complexions.
His face looked unusually mealy out in the winter snow.
Often appears as...
- mealy complexion
- mealy skin
adjective
Of a fruit or vegetable: Dry, rough, or powdery in texture, not juicy.
The apples tasted stale and mealy.
Often appears as...
- mealy apples
- mealy vegetables
adjective
Cowardly or lacking conviction; flaky.
The mealy-mouthed politician avoided giving a direct answer.
Often appears as...
- mealy-mouthed criticism
- mealy-mouthed response
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Covered with or resembling meal or powder.
There was a mealy residue left behind after grinding the grain.
Often appears as...
- mealy residue
- mealy powder
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/2Texture Related
Use 'mealy' to describe foods that crumble easily and aren't moist.
These biscuits are quite mealy; they fall apart in your hands.
Pro Tip 2/2Not Always Negative
'Mealy' can be positive when referring to desirable food textures.
I prefer mealy potatoes for my mashed potatoes recipe.
Compare with
blandcrumblydryflourygrainygrittypowderysandy
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Video examples
How a South American...
wasp swoops in and lays its eggs in the melee buck when the eggs hatch the wasp larvae eat the mealy bug from the inside out killing it the new wasp soon mature and the process starts over again the infestation took a few years to fully manage but the economic benefits were huge for every dollar spent on mealy bug
Video examples
How a South American...
wasp swoops in and lays its eggs in the melee buck when the eggs hatch the wasp larvae eat the mealy bug from the inside out killing it the new wasp soon mature and the process starts over again the infestation took a few years to fully manage but the economic benefits were huge for every dollar spent on mealy bug
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
John Ciardi
English Dramatist
It is easy enough to praise men for the courage of their convictions. I wish I could teach the sad young of this mealy generation the courage of their confusions.
Quote examples
John Ciardi
English Dramatist
It is easy enough to praise men for the courage of their convictions. I wish I could teach the sad young of this mealy generation the courage of their confusions.
Example 1 of 1
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