Vastny Languages editorial team
Tough, chewy, leathery, and stringy: what's the difference?
These words describe food texture. Tough food is difficult to bite through; chewy food needs repeated chewing, which can be pleasant. Leathery suggests dry toughness, while stringy points to fibres.
These words describe food texture. Tough food is difficult to bite through; chewy food needs repeated chewing, which can be pleasant. Leathery suggests dry toughness, while stringy points to fibres.
Which word fits here?
Use tough for meat or other food that is hard to bite through.
Use chewy for a texture that needs repeated chewing, such as caramel or a bagel. It need not be a criticism.
Use leathery for food that feels dry and tough like leather; it usually sounds negative.
Use stringy when long fibres make food awkward to eat, as with some meat or vegetables.
How to choose a word
Use tough for meat or other food that is hard to bite through.
Use chewy for a texture that needs repeated chewing, such as caramel or a bagel. It need not be a criticism.
Use leathery for food that feels dry and tough like leather; it usually sounds negative.
Use stringy when long fibres make food awkward to eat, as with some meat or vegetables.
Word by word
tough
Use tough for meat or other food that is hard to bite through.
The steak was tough, so I could barely finish it.
This cut of beef can be tough if you cook it too quickly.
chewy
Use chewy for a texture that needs repeated chewing, such as caramel or a bagel. It need not be a criticism.
The cookies were soft and chewy in the middle.
The steak was a bit chewy, but the flavor was great.
leathery
Use leathery for food that feels dry and tough like leather; it usually sounds negative.
The chicken was overcooked and leathery.
The mushrooms turned leathery after too much time in the pan.
stringy
Use stringy when long fibres make food awkward to eat, as with some meat or vegetables.
The chicken was dry and stringy.
This mango is too stringy to eat comfortably.
