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

Eliminate ants to control aphids, mealy bugs and scale. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2026

Players and coaches have become maddeningly mealy-mouthed, striving to avoid upsetting agents, sponsors, owners, fans, thin-skinned politicians, and whoever else might object. —Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026

This basic burger recipe from former Bon Appétit editor Claire Saffitz is an evergreen favorite, full of smart techniques for molding a stellar homemade burger—juicy, flavorful beef that’s never dry or mealy. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026

But this was a mealy-mouthed memo. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 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

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