Quick answer
Gristle means tough, chewy cartilage or sinewy tissue in meat. It is usually pronounced GRISS-ul, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Gristle
Gristle means tough, chewy cartilage or sinewy tissue in meat. It belongs to food and bodily oddities and works best in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
foodbodilygross
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, gristle refers to tough, chewy cartilage or sinewy tissue in meat. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Gristle feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Gristle is generally traced to old English and Germanic roots related to cartilage or hard tissue. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Gristle is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- He spent more time cutting around the gristle than eating the steak.
- The soup was rich, but one mouthful of gristle ruined the mood.
- She used the word gristle to describe the city’s hard, unpolished edge.
- Good stock often begins with bones, joints, and a little gristle.
When should you use this word?
Use gristle when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary.
Similar words
cartilage, sinew, toughness, chewy bits, connective tissue
Opposite or contrasting words
tender meat, smooth texture, softness
Common questions
- What does gristle mean? Tough, chewy cartilage or sinewy tissue in meat.
- How do you pronounce gristle? It is commonly pronounced GRISS-ul.
- Is gristle still used today? Gristle is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use gristle? Use gristle when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in comic description, bodily discomfort, and odd old domestic vocabulary.
- What words are similar to gristle? Similar words include cartilage, sinew, toughness, and chewy bits.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.