mealy

adjective

ˈmē-lē 

mealier; mealiest

1

: containing meal : farinaceous

2

: soft, dry, and friable

3

a

: covered with meal or with fine granules

b

: flecked with another color

c

: spotty, uneven

d

: pallid, blanched

a mealy complexion

4

: mealymouthed

Synonyms of mealy

• pallid
• pale

Examples of mealy in a Sentence

the mealy flesh of a pear

her mealy complexion might be OK if she were a mime, but she isn't

Recent Examples on the Web

Note that cold temperatures can dull the flavor and make the tomatoes slightly mealy, so try to use them within a few days when possible. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Cold temperatures kill the flavor and cause tomatoes to develop a mealy texture. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026

Cold temperatures kill flavor and turn the flesh mealy, so a shaded countertop out of direct sunlight is nearly always the better call. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 6 Aug. 2026

Cold temperatures kill flavor and turn the flesh mealy, so whole, uncut tomatoes belong at room temperature. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mealy

• freely
• keeley
• seely
• steely
• vilely
• ideally
• lapilli
• swahili
• intraperitoneally
• kiswahili
• microvilli

Kids Definition

mealy

adjective

ˈmē-lē 

mealier; mealiest

1

: containing meal

2

: being soft, dry, and crumbly

3

: covered with fine grains or with flecks (as of color)

4

: mealymouthed