What is meat? Pronunciation and usage in English

meat means . Learn how to pronounce and use meat through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of meat

meatnoun

/miːt/
Definition & pronunciation of meat

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "meat" in English. It's a tricky one for non-native speakers because it can sound different depending on where you're from! Here's a breakdown of the most common pronunciations and how to get it right:

1. The Most Common American Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "meet" (as in, to meet someone)
  • Breakdown:
    • "mee": Say the syllable "mee" – like the word "meet" (the verb). It's a short, quick "ee" sound.
    • "t": A very short, almost silent "t" sound. You barely pronounce it. It's almost like the "ee" sound just continues.

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "meat" (as in, the food)
  • Breakdown:
    • "meet": Similar to the American pronunciation – say the syllable "meet."
    • "t": This "t" is pronounced clearly like you would in other English words.

3. How to Achieve the American "Meet" Sound:

  • Focus on the "ee" sound: The key is to lengthen and emphasize the "ee" sound.
  • Minimize the "t": This is the trickiest part. Don’t let the "t" sound fully form. Almost blend it into the "ee" sound. Think of it as a very quick, airy "t."
  • Practice: Say "meet" repeatedly, focusing on the length of the "ee" sound and the almost-silent "t." You can even exaggerate it at first.

Resources to Help You:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Knowing your native language helps me understand potential pronunciation challenges.)
  • Which pronunciation are you trying to learn? (American or British?)

Usage and examples with the word meat in English

Let's break down how to use the word "meat" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown divided into its main uses:

1. The Most Common Meaning: Animal Flesh (Food)

  • Definition: This is the most frequent use. “Meat” refers to the edible flesh of animals – beef, pork, chicken, lamb, fish, etc.
  • Examples:
    • "I had a delicious steak for dinner."
    • "She prefers chicken to beef."
    • "Do you want some roast meat with your potatoes?"
    • "Vegetarians don't eat meat."

2. Figurative Meaning: Substance or Matter (Less Common)

  • Definition: Historically, "meat" was used metaphorically to mean the essential substance or core of something. Think of it as the vital part. This usage is much less common today, but you'll still encounter it in older literature.
  • Examples:
    • "The meat of the argument was his claim that..." (Here, "meat" refers to the central point.)
    • "The meat of the deal involved financing and legal agreements." (Meaning the most important parts.)
    • “He focused on the meat of the report, ignoring the details.”

3. “Meat” as a Verb (Less Common – “To Feed” or “To Sustain”)

  • Definition: "Meat" can be used as a verb, meaning to provide sustenance or support. It’s a somewhat archaic or formal usage.
  • Examples:
    • "The government needs to meat the needs of the poor." (Meaning: meet the needs)
    • “This policy will meat the requirements of the agreement.” (Meaning: satisfy the requirements)

4. "Meat" as a Noun (Specifically referring to Muscle Tissue) – Biology/Anatomy

  • Definition: In biology, "meat" refers to muscle tissue.
  • Example:
    • “The meat surrounding the bone was too tough to chew.”

Important Considerations & Nuances:

  • Formal vs. Informal: The primary meaning ("animal flesh") is almost always used in everyday conversation. The figurative and verb forms are generally more formal.
  • Regional Variations: The figurative usage of "meat" might be slightly more common in British English than in American English.

Here's a quick recap table:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Animal Flesh (Food) Noun "I'm craving a juicy burger."
Substance/Matter Noun "The meat of the discussion was..."
To Feed/Sustain Verb "The charity needs to meat the demand."
Muscle Tissue Noun "The steak had a lot of meat."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in using "meat" in? (e.g., writing a story, talking about food, discussing a legal agreement?)

Synonyms for the word meat

Idioms of the word meat

dead meat
(informal)in serious trouble
  • If anyone finds out, you're dead meat.
easy meat
a person who seems easy to defeat or cheat
  • Rogue traders saw elderly people as easy meat for overcharging.
meat and drink to somebody
something that somebody enjoys very much
  • This degree of chaos is meat and drink to Guy.
something that is a normal thing to deal with for somebody
  • This kind of research task is meat and drink to these students.
one man’s meat is another man’s poison
(saying)used to say that different people like different things; what one person likes very much, another person does not like at all

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