First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
gruel
noun gru·el \ˈgrü-əl\
: a thin food made by boiling oatmeal or some other grain in water or milk
Full Definition of GRUEL
1
: a thin porridge
2
[from to get one's gruel to accept punishment] chiefly British : punishment
3
: something that lacks substance or significance <the argument was thin gruel>
See gruel defined for English-language learners
See gruel defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of GRUEL
Middle English grewel, from Anglo-French gruel, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grūt grout
GRUEL Defined for Kids
gruel
noun gru·el \ˈgrü-əl\
Definition of GRUEL for Kids
: a thin porridge
Learn More About GRUEL
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up gruel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).