fleshy

/ˈfleʃi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfleʃi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfle-shē/ (ame, mw)

fleshy — adjective

  • fleshypositive
  • fleshiercomparative
  • fleshiestsuperlative

1. if a person or part of the body is fleshy, the skin covers a thick layer of soft

1.形容詞C1
釋義

if a person or part of the body is fleshy, the skin covers a thick layer of soft tissue, so it looks round or full rather than thin or bony.

例句

Ravindra had a broad chest and fleshy arms from years of farm work.

describing body parts: fleshy + arms / shoulders / cheeks

The baby's fleshy little cheeks turned bright pink in the cold wind.

common collocation: fleshy cheeks

同義詞
  • plump

    softer and friendlier; often used of cheeks, fingers, or small children

  • chubby

    informal; usually positive when describing babies or children

  • stout

    suggests a solid, heavy build, not just soft flesh

反義詞
  • bony

    stresses visible bones with little soft tissue

  • skinny

    informal; suggests too thin, not just slim

用法筆記

Often describes specific body parts (arms, cheeks, lips, thighs) more than the whole person. When used of a whole person, it is a softer, less judgemental word than 'fat' but still notes size.

常見錯誤

❌She eats too much and is becoming fleshy.
✅She eats too much and is becoming heavier.
💡'fleshy' describes a built-in look, not a recent change in weight.
❌The runner had a thin, fleshy build.
✅The runner had a thin, wiry build.
💡'fleshy' and 'thin' contradict each other.

2. used about a fruit, leaf, or other plant part that is thick, soft, and full of j

2.形容詞C1
釋義

used about a fruit, leaf, or other plant part that is thick, soft, and full of juice or pulp, rather than thin, dry, or papery.

例句

Mangoes have a sweet, fleshy layer around a large flat seed.

describing the edible flesh of fruit

Aloe vera plants have thick, fleshy leaves that store water inside.

collocation: fleshy leaves (often of succulents)

同義詞
  • pulpy

    stresses soft, wet inner tissue; common for ripe fruit

  • succulent

    stresses juicy and pleasant to eat; also the name of a plant family

  • juicy

    focuses on liquid content, not thickness of tissue

反義詞
  • dry

    lacking juice or moisture inside the tissue

  • papery

    stresses a thin, brittle quality, like onion skin

用法筆記

Common in cooking and gardening contexts. Distinguish from sense 1 by the subject: a plant, fruit, leaf, or root, not a person or body part.

常見錯誤

❌The bread had a soft, fleshy texture.
✅The bread had a soft, spongy texture.
💡'fleshy' is for plants or bodies, not for baked or processed foods.
❌Pine needles are long and fleshy.
✅Pine needles are long and thin.
💡needles are the opposite of fleshy.