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

• 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

The solution is a two-pronged approach 1) to control the ants and 2) to wash away the scale, mealy bugs, and aphids. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025

Cherry tomatoes are the only variety that tends to stand up to time in the fridge without turning mushy or mealy too quickly. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2025

Steer clear of the refrigerator, which can lead to a mushy or mealy texture and loss of flavor. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2025

No chemicals or sprays are used, but companion planting and predatory bugs like mealy bugs or ladybug larvae can help to manage crops. —Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

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

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