Flesh vs. Meat: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Flesh typically refers to the soft tissue of the body, especially muscle and fat, while meat is the edible flesh of animals, specifically used for food.
Key Differences
Flesh is a broader term, generally denoting the soft, muscular part of an organism's body, often inclusive of skin and other tissues. Meat, in contrast, specifically refers to animal flesh that is prepared and consumed as food by humans. While all meat is flesh, not all flesh is considered meat, especially in non-culinary contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
In a biological context, flesh encompasses a variety of soft tissues, including muscle, fat, and organs of both animals and humans. Meat, however, is a culinary term, typically excluding organs (referred to as offal) and focusing mainly on muscle tissue. This distinction highlights flesh's broader biological role versus meat's specific dietary use.
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Nov 14, 2023
The use of the word flesh can be symbolic, often used metaphorically or in literary contexts to denote mortality or corporeality. Meat lacks this symbolic nuance, being a more straightforward term that almost exclusively pertains to food.
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Nov 14, 2023
In religious or ethical discussions, 'flesh' can have connotations relating to human nature or physical existence. 'Meat', however, is often central to discussions about diet, animal rights, and culinary culture, devoid of the philosophical or moral undertones associated with flesh.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Flesh is sometimes used in a medical context, referring to the soft tissue healing or damage, irrespective of whether it's edible. Meat, in contrast, is a culinary term, concerned with taste, preparation, and nutritional value, and not used in medical contexts.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The soft tissue of the body, especially muscle and fat.
Animal flesh specifically prepared and consumed as food.
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Nov 14, 2023
Usage in Language
Used more broadly in various contexts (biological, symbolic).
Primarily used in culinary contexts.
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Nov 14, 2023
Symbolism
Can have metaphorical or moral implications.
Lacks symbolic connotations, focused on culinary aspects.
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Nov 14, 2023
Inclusivity
Can refer to human and animal tissue, not limited to edibility.
Strictly pertains to edible animal flesh.
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Contextual Relevance
Relevant in biological, medical, literary, and philosophical areas.
Mainly relevant in culinary, dietary, and animal rights contexts.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Flesh and Meat Definitions
Flesh
Flesh is the soft tissue of animals or humans, particularly muscles and fat.
The wound was deep, exposing the flesh beneath the skin.
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Nov 14, 2023
Meat
In a culinary context, meat refers to the main protein component of a meal.
For dinner, we had a choice of various meats, including chicken and beef.
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Nov 14, 2023
Flesh
Flesh can refer to the edible parts of fruits or vegetables.
The flesh of the avocado was ripe and creamy.
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Nov 14, 2023
Meat
Meat can be used to describe the most substantial or essential part of something.
The meat of the argument is found in the last chapter of the book.
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Nov 14, 2023
Flesh
Flesh can be used to describe a part of a literary work or story.
The author added flesh to the narrative with rich character development.
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Nov 14, 2023
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Meat
The edible flesh of animals, especially that of mammals as opposed to that of fish or poultry.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
The soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate, covering the bones and consisting mainly of skeletal muscle and fat
Thought the boy needed some more flesh on his bones.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
Such tissue of an animal, used as food
Flesh of a cow.
Fish with white flesh.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(Slang) Something that one enjoys or excels in; a forte
Tennis is his meat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
The human body
"the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to" (Shakespeare).
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(uncountable) The flesh (muscle tissue) of an animal used as food.
A large portion of domestic meat production comes from animals raised on factory farms.
The homesteading teenager shot a deer to supply his family with wild meat for the winter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
Substance; reality
"The maritime strategy has an all but unstoppable institutional momentum behind it ... that has given force and flesh to the theory" (Jack Beatty).
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(countable) A type of meat, by anatomic position and provenance.
The butchery's profit rate on various meats varies greatly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
To give substance or detail to; fill out. Often used with out
Fleshed out the novel with a subplot.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
Food, for animals or humans, especially solid food. See also meat and drink.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
To encourage (a falcon, for example) to participate in the chase by feeding it flesh from a kill.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(uncountable) Any relatively thick, solid part of a fruit, nut etc.
The apple looked fine on the outside, but the meat was not very firm.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(colloquial) The best or most substantial part of something.
We recruited him right from the meat of our competitor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(sports) The sweet spot of a bat or club (in cricket, golf, baseball etc.).
He hit it right on the meat of the bat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
(Australian Aboriginal) A totem, or (by metonymy) a clan or clansman which uses it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
Food, in general; anything eaten for nourishment, either by man or beast. Hence, the edible part of anything; as, the meat of a lobster, a nut, or an egg.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, . . . to you it shall be for meat.
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
(religion) The mortal body of a human being, contrasted with the spirit or soul.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
The flesh of animals used as food; esp., animal muscle; as, a breakfast of bread and fruit without meat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
The flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
The inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone;
Black walnut kernels are difficult to get out of the shell
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;
The gist of the prosecutor's argument
The heart and soul of the Republican Party
The nub of the story
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
(transitive) To reward (a hound, bird of prey etc.) with flesh of the animal killed, to excite it for further hunting; to train (an animal) to have an appetite for flesh.
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Oct 19, 2023
Meat
Meat is the edible flesh of animals, particularly the muscle tissue.
The chef prepared the meat with a blend of herbs and spices.
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Nov 14, 2023
Meat
Meat is often categorized based on the animal source, like poultry, beef, or seafood.
The menu featured an array of meats, from seafood to venison.
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Meat
In a metaphorical sense, meat can signify the core or heart of a matter.
We need to get to the meat of the issue to understand it fully.
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Nov 14, 2023
Flesh
The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish.
With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person.
As if this flesh, which walls about our life,Were brass impregnable.
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Flesh
The human eace; mankind; humanity.
All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
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Flesh
In a bad sense, tendency to transient or physical pleasure; desire for sensual gratification; carnality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; - from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first time.
Full bravely hast thou fleshedThy maiden sword.
The wild dogShall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom.
Old soldiersFleshed in the spoils of Germany and France.
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
The soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
Alternative names for the body of a human being;
Leonardo studied the human body
He has a strong physique
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
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Oct 19, 2023
Flesh
In a metaphorical sense, flesh can symbolize human nature or mortality.
In many philosophical texts, flesh is contrasted with the spirit or soul.
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Nov 14, 2023
Flesh
In a biological context, flesh denotes the soft tissue composition of an organism.
The study focused on the regenerative properties of flesh in certain species.
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Nov 14, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Does "flesh" have a symbolic meaning?
Yes, it can symbolize mortality or human nature in philosophical or literary contexts.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are "flesh" and "meat" interchangeable in cooking?
Not exactly. "Meat" is more specific to cooking, while "flesh" can have broader, non-culinary uses.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Is "meat" used in medical terminology?
No, "meat" is primarily a culinary term and not used in medical contexts.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is "meat" ever used metaphorically?
Yes, it can metaphorically refer to the substantial or essential part of something.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can "flesh" refer to fruit and vegetable parts?
Yes, the term can be used to describe the edible parts of certain fruits and vegetables.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can "meat" refer to plant-based products?
Traditionally, no. Meat specifically refers to animal flesh, though some modern uses extend to plant-based products mimicking meat.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are all animal tissues considered "meat"?
In culinary terms, meat generally refers to muscle tissue, excluding organs (offal).
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Nov 14, 2023
Is "meat" used in legal contexts?
Rarely. It's mainly a culinary term, though it can appear in regulations related to food.
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Nov 14, 2023
Can "flesh" be a verb?
Yes, "to flesh out" means to give substance or detail to something.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is "flesh" used only to refer to human tissue?
No, flesh can refer to the soft tissue of both humans and animals.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Is "meat" a modern English word?
Yes, it's been in use since Old English, with its meaning evolving over time.
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Nov 14, 2023
Does "flesh" have different meanings in art?
Yes, it can refer to the portrayal of skin or body in art.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are there health debates surrounding "meat"?
Yes, there are ongoing debates regarding the health impacts of consuming different types of meat.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is "meat" categorized in culinary arts?
Yes, it's often categorized by animal source and cut.
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Nov 14, 2023
Is "flesh" a common term in religious texts?
Yes, it's often used in religious contexts to discuss human nature or morality.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Does "flesh" have a specific culinary use?
Not specifically, as it's a more general term compared to "meat."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 14, 2023
Can "flesh" imply vulnerability?
Yes, in a metaphorical sense, it can symbolize human vulnerability or fragility.
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Nov 14, 2023
Does "flesh" have a historical context?
Yes, its use and meaning have evolved over time, both in everyday and literary language.
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Nov 14, 2023
Do vegetarians eat any type of meat?
No, vegetarians do not eat meat, which is animal flesh used as food.
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Nov 14, 2023
Are there ethical concerns associated with "meat"?
Yes, meat consumption often involves discussions on animal rights and environmental impact.
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Nov 14, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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