meat
meat
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "meat" is /miːt/.
/miːt/
Word Form Variations
Noun: meat (singular, often uncountable), meats (plural, referring to different kinds or cuts of meat)
Adjective: meat (used attributively, e.g., "meat grinder," "meat market")
Verb: (No direct verb form in common use for the "flesh" sense. "Meet" is a homophone, but a different word with different meanings and etymology.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The flesh of an animal, typically a mammal or bird, consumed by humans as food.
Synonyms: flesh, protein, (specific types: beef, pork, chicken, mutton, venison)
Antonyms: vegetables, produce, greens, plant-based food, grains
Definition 2: The edible part of certain fruits, nuts, or shellfish, typically distinct from the shell or skin.
Synonyms: flesh, kernel, pulp, edible part
Antonyms: shell, rind, husk, skin, peel
Definition 3: (Figurative, informal) The essential or most substantial part of something; the core content.
Synonyms: core, essence, substance, gist, heart, crux, marrow
Antonyms: periphery, superficiality, fluff, filler, triviality, trimmings
Definition 4: (Archaic) Food in general, especially solid food.
Synonyms: food, sustenance, provisions, victuals (archaic)
Antonyms: drink, beverage, water
Adjective
Definition 1: Consisting of or relating to animal flesh used as food. (Used attributively)
Synonyms: carnivorous, protein-based, fleshy
Antonyms: vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy
Definition 2: (Figurative, informal) Providing substantial or essential content. (As in "meat and potatoes ideas")
Synonyms: substantial, essential, fundamental, core, basic
Antonyms: superficial, trivial, peripheral, decorative
Examples of Use
Books:
"The hunter carefully butchered the deer, preparing its meat for the long winter ahead." (Fictional example from a survival or historical novel)
"This chapter gets to the meat of the argument, presenting the core evidence for the theory." (From a non-fiction academic text or a detailed analysis)
"The recipe called for lean cuts of white meat, marinated in herbs and spices." (From a cookbook, e.g., The Joy of Cooking)
Newspapers:
"Local butchers report a surge in demand for red meat as the festive season approaches." ("The Standard,")
"The new report on climate change finally got to the meat of the matter, detailing concrete steps for emission reduction." ("The New York Times,")
"Concerns rise over the safety standards of imported processed meat products." ("Daily Nation,’’)
Online Publications:
"Is plant-based meat truly healthier than traditional animal protein? A dietitian's perspective." (An article on a health and nutrition blog, e.g., Healthline.com)
"This tutorial will teach you how to extract the sweet meat from a crab without wasting any." (A cooking guide on a culinary website, e.g., Food52.com)
"The latest software update delivers the meat and potatoes of what users have been asking for: performance and stability improvements." (A tech review on "Ars Technica,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "What's in the box?! Is it human meat?!" (Inspired by dialogue from suspense films, e.g., Se7en)
Television Series: "Our contestants must prepare a five-course meat-based banquet for the judges, showcasing various cooking techniques." (Instructions on a cooking competition show, e.g., Iron Chef America)
Song Lyrics: "I want a woman that will make my life a bed of roses, and not some cold, hard meat." (From a country or blues song, using "meat" metaphorically for something lifeless or unpleasant)
Video Games: "Collecting this prime meat will replenish your hunger bar significantly." (In-game item description in a survival or RPG, e.g., Minecraft)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we're dissecting the very meat of the political debate: the upcoming budget proposal." (A podcast host discussing core issues, e.g., NPR's The Daily)
General Public Discourse:
"What kind of meat are we having for dinner tonight?" (A common question at home)
"This coconut has a lot of sweet meat inside." (Describing a fruit or nut)
"Let's get to the meat of the problem and stop talking about minor details." (A common phrase to urge focus on essential matters)
"Are you having meat or vegetarian today?" (A question about dietary preference)
"The argument had a lot of fluff but no real meat." (A critical comment on a superficial discussion)
10 Quotes Using Meat
“Vegetarian— that's an old Indian word meaning ‘lousy hunter.’” – Andy Rooney
“Red meat is not bad for you. Now blue-green meat, that’s bad for you!” – Tommy Smothers
“My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people.” – Orson Welles
“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite.” – Leo Tolstoy
“To me, life without veal stock, pork fat, sausage, organ meat, demi-glace, or even stinky cheese is a life not worth living.” – Anthony Bourdain
“If God did not intend for us to eat animals, then why did he make them out of meat?” – John Cleese
“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” – George Bernard Shaw
“Meat eaten without either mustard or horseradish is a missed opportunity.” – M.F.K. Fisher
“You can’t fake steak.” – Anonymous
“You don’t win friends with salad.” – Homer Simpson, The Simpsons
Etymology
The word "meat" has a very old and broad history in English.
It comes from the Old English word mete.
Originally, mete did not just mean animal flesh. Instead, its first known meaning in English, dating back to before the 9th century (Old English period), was "food in general," or "something to eat." It encompassed all kinds of solid nourishment.
You can still see traces of this older, broader meaning in words like "sweetmeat" (a sweet food, not necessarily meat), or "mincemeat" (which traditionally contains fruit and spices, not primarily meat).
Over centuries, the meaning of "meat" gradually narrowed. By the 14th century, it began to be used more specifically to refer to "the edible flesh of animals." This specialized meaning eventually became the dominant one, pushing out the broader "food in general" sense in everyday use, although the older sense still lingers in some phrases and historical contexts.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Meat
Meat and potatoes: The most essential or fundamental parts; basic and substantial.
Red meat: (Figurative) Provocative or emotionally charged content, especially in politics, intended to appeal to a base.
White meat: Lighter-colored flesh of poultry (e.g., chicken breast) or fish.
Cold meat: (Informal, often humorous or rude) A dead body.
Meat market: (Informal, derogatory) A place where people are regarded as objects for sexual selection.
To make a meal of (something): To exaggerate the difficulty or importance of something; to take an unnecessarily long time doing something. (Uses "meal" which relates to "meat" etymologically)
No meat on the bones: Lacking substance, details, or significant content.
The bare bones: The most basic or essential facts; the core structure. (Synonymous with "the meat of the matter")
Flesh and blood: Referring to human beings, especially one's own family. (Synonymous with human "meat" in a living sense)
To get down to the meat: To address the core or essential issues directly.
Tenderloin of an argument: The most desirable or crucial part of an argument. (Original, playing on cuts of meat)
Prime cut of data: The most valuable and insightful information. (Original, playing on cuts of meat)
To chew the fat: To chat informally. (Related to consuming food/meat)
Hearty fare: Substantial and satisfying food. (Synonymous with a "meat"-filled meal)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of meat from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
