mealies: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Regional/Specialized)Informal, Regional (chiefly South African), Agricultural
Quick answer
What does “mealies” mean?
Maize (corn), especially as grown or harvested in South African English.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Maize (corn), especially as grown or harvested in South African English; also refers to ears of corn or corn kernels.
In South African and Zimbabwean English, can refer to the crop, the harvested cobs, or the cooked dish of maize kernels; sometimes used more broadly in Southern African contexts for maize-based foods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is not part of mainstream British or American English. It is a borrowing into South African English from Afrikaans 'mielie' (from Portuguese 'milho'). In the UK/US, 'corn' or 'maize' would be used.
Connotations
In SA English: everyday, agricultural, traditional food. In UK/US: exotic, foreign, or unknown term requiring explanation.
Frequency
Virtually zero frequency in British or American corpora; high frequency in South African English texts, especially relating to food, farming, or culture.
Grammar
How to Use “mealies” in a Sentence
grow + mealiesharvest + mealiescook + mealieseat + mealiessell + mealiesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mealies” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Mealie fields stretched to the horizon.
- They shared a mealie recipe.
American English
- Mealie production is vital.
- He bought mealie seeds.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in agricultural exports, farming reports in Southern Africa.
Academic
Appears in anthropological, agricultural, or linguistic studies of Southern Africa.
Everyday
Common in South African homes, markets, recipes, and casual conversation about food.
Technical
Used in agronomy in Southern Africa to specify maize varieties or crops.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mealies”
- Using 'mealies' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a mealie' is very rare).
- Applying the term outside Southern African contexts without explanation.
- Confusing with 'measles' in spelling or pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is almost exclusively South African English (also found in Zimbabwe, Zambia). In the US/UK, say 'corn' or 'maize'.
Rarely. The word is almost always plural ('mealies'), even when referring to the crop generally. A single cob might be called 'a mealie cob'.
A coarse flour made from ground maize, used to make porridge ('pap') in Southern Africa.
From Afrikaans 'mielie', which came from Portuguese 'milho' (maize, millet).
Maize (corn), especially as grown or harvested in South African English.
Mealies is usually informal, regional (chiefly south african), agricultural in register.
Mealies: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːliz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːliz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"Mealies and milk" (traditional simple diet)”
- “"Live on mealies" (live frugally)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MEAL made of maize – MEALies. Or: In South Africa, they MEAL (mill) maize into mealie-meal.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS SUSTENANCE (mealies as life-giving staple), HARVEST AS ABUNDANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'mealies' in South African English?