Gruel

/ˈɡruː.əl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A thin, watery porridge or soup, often made by boiling oats or other grains in water or milk.

After a long day of work, he found comfort in a bowl of warm gruel.

A harsh or boring situation or experience, often used metaphorically.

The lecture turned out to be a gruel of endless facts and figures.

verb

To prepare or serve gruel.

The nurse grueled the oatmeal for the patients who needed a light meal.

Middle English, from Old French 'gruel', of uncertain origin.

Run-of-the-mill gruel

Something that is ordinary and lacks excitement or quality.

Gruel and bare bones

Refers to something that is minimal or lacking in abundance.

porridge

A hot cereal dish made by boiling oats or other grains in milk or water.

pottage

A thick soup made by boiling vegetables, such as peas, beans, or grains.

broth

A liquid in which meat, fish, or vegetables have been cooked.

Basic or bland food.

The meal was just gruel, nothing special.

Something that is boring or uninteresting.

His speech was as dull as gruel.