flesh

1 of 2

noun

ˈflesh

Synonyms of flesh next

: the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially of a vertebrate

especially : the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from internal organs, bone, and integument

: the condition of having ample fat on the body

cattle in good flesh

: skin

: edible parts of an animal

: flesh of a mammal or fowl eaten as food

: the physical nature of human beings

the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak—

Matthew 26:41 (King James Version)

: human nature

: human beings : humankind

: living beings

: stock, kindred

: a fleshy plant part used as food

also : the fleshy part of a fruit

Christian Science : an illusion that matter has sensation

: facts or details that provide substance to something

Her careful documentation puts the necessary flesh on much that has been merely speculation …—

John H. Crook

flesh

2 of 2

verb

fleshed; fleshing; fleshes

transitive verb

: to initiate or habituate especially by giving a foretaste

archaic : gratify

: to clothe or cover with or as if with flesh

broadly : to give substance to

—usually used with out

flesh out a plan

: to make fuller or more nearly complete

—used with out

museums fleshing out their collections with borrowed works

: to free from flesh

intransitive verb

: to become fleshy

—often used with up or out

Phrases

in the flesh

: in person and alive

Example Sentences

Noun the flabby white flesh of his belly a disease that causes sores on the flesh

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That's because the flesh of the fruit, which contains fiber, is discarded during the juicing process. —

Danielle Weiss, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2023 Because neither one of them alters the appearance of the fish, its flesh, or its odor. —

Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Feb. 2023 True yams have a thick, barklike skin and a dense, dry flesh in the colors of yellow, white, purple or pink — never orange. —

Jodi Bay, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2023 The Bloater enters the fray like a professional wrestler, manhandling Hunters as Perry's bullets fruitlessly pepper into its thick, fungi-laden flesh. —

Randall Colburn, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Scoop flesh into a bowl and roughly mash with a fork. —

Gretchen Mckay, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2023 Preserved lemons are made by storing fresh lemons in lots of salt until the flesh, pith, and rind soften. —

Zaynab Issa, Bon Appétit, 8 Feb. 2023 Jardin d’été is made with melon flesh, whole lemon, yuzu zest and more orange peel, in addition to the 19 botanicals used to make Citadelle Original. —

Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 In every sense, her voice is full-bodied — hard muscles, tight tendons, supple flesh, unbreakable bones and a God-imbued soul. —

Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 19 Jan. 2023

Verb

Marshall and the writers took that as another opportunity to flesh out the Eric role. —

Nick Romano, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2022 The moment felt even rawer since the HBO Max adaptation closely followed the Dumbo actress in the first episode to flesh out a sincere attachment with viewers. —

Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 22 Jan. 2023 In the time off taken to flesh out that onscreen relationship, the pandemic hit. —

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2022 To flesh out how hemp’s cannabinoids impact livestock, scientists at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment fed 10 lactating dairy cows differing amounts of hemp feed containing a range of cannabinoid concentrations. —

Byjack Tamisiea, science.org, 14 Nov. 2022 The results, published in Geology, will help flesh out details in geological models about the ebb and flow of Earth's crust and the oceans between. —

Breanna Draxler, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2013 Interspersed between those accounts and Kwan’s forays into his own background are history lessons to flesh out the sociopolitical context behind each story of global migration. —

Jenny G. Zhang, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2023 Recipients will gather for a three-day workshop in January to flesh out ideas before rolling out their plans over the next 12 months. —

Blake Nelsonstaff Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023 The author has a gift for set pieces that flesh out his nostalgic world-building. —

Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flesh.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English flǣsc; akin to Old High German fleisk flesh and perhaps to Old English flēan to flay — more at flay

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of flesh was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flesh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flesh. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

flesh

1 of 2 noun

ˈflesh

: the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially the muscular parts

: sleek plump condition of body

cattle in good flesh

: parts of an animal used as food

: the physical being of a person as distinguished from the soul

: a fleshy plant part (as the pulp of a fruit)

fleshed

ˈflesht

adjective

flesh

2 of 2 verb

: to make more complete by adding details

flesh out a story

Medical Definition

flesh

noun

ˈflesh

: the soft parts of the body of an animal and especially of a vertebrate

especially : the parts composed chiefly of skeletal muscle as distinguished from visceral structures, bone, and integuments see goose bumps, proud flesh

fleshed

ˈflesht

adjective