fleshy

adjective

ˈfle-shē 

fleshier; fleshiest

1

a

: marked by, consisting of, or resembling flesh

b

: marked by abundant flesh

especially : corpulent

2

a

: succulent, pulpy

the fleshy texture of a melon

b

: not thin, dry, or membranous

fleshy fungi

fleshiness noun

Synonyms

• juicy

Examples of fleshy in a Sentence

the fleshy part of the thigh

the fleshy texture of the melon

a plant with fleshy leaves

Recent Examples on the Web

Plants produce a large, fleshy underground storage organ (the bulb) that, at the appropriate time of year, and in response to a certain set of environmental conditions, sends out a spray of strap-like leaves and one or more stalks that end in one or more flowers. —Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Sep. 2025

Despite the fleshy leaves, plants tolerate moderate foot traffic. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Aug. 2025

Far from an expression of compassion toward animals, it was inspired by a sense of all fleshy things as evil. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 4 Aug. 2025

Esparza led us to a pair of women who were serving thick, eggy fritters encasing pacaya, bracingly bitter palm flowers, harvested from the tree’s fleshy spikes and served with beans and rice. —Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 28 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing fleshy

• fleshy fruit

Kids Definition

fleshy

adjective

ˈflesh-ē 

fleshier; fleshiest

1

a

: resembling or consisting of flesh

b

: plump entry 5, fat

2

: having or being soft juicy tissue : pulpy

fleshy fruits

fleshiness noun

Medical Definition

fleshy

adjective

ˈflesh-ē 

fleshier; fleshiest

: marked by abundant flesh

especially : corpulent