Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊtmi͡əl] (IPA) 
The word "oatmeal" is spelled as [oʊt.miːl], which is made up of two syllables. The first syllable [oʊt] consists of a long "o" sound followed by a "t" sound. The second syllable [miːl] consists of a long "ee" sound followed by an "l" sound. The word represents a breakfast dish made with oats, which is a healthy and filling option. It is a common staple in many households and can be prepared in various ways to suit individual tastes.
Oatmeal is a noun that refers to a food product made from oats that have been crushed or ground into a fine, powdery consistency. It is often consumed as a breakfast dish and is known for its nutritional value and versatility.
Oatmeal is primarily made by cooking the oats in water or milk, resulting in a thick, porridge-like consistency. It can be flavored with various ingredients such as sugar, cinnamon, fruits, nuts, or other spices to enhance its taste and nutritional profile. Oatmeal is widely recognized for its high fiber content, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a healthy and balanced diet.
The word "oatmeal" can also be used to refer to the actual oats themselves, before they are cooked. Oats are a whole-grain cereal grain that are typically hulled and processed to remove the outer protective shell, leaving behind the nutritious oat groat. These groats can then be further processed to produce various oatmeal products, including rolled oats, instant oats, and steel-cut oats.
Oatmeal is highly regarded for its health benefits, including providing a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. It also contains essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to overall well-being. Oatmeal is a popular food choice among individuals aiming to maintain a healthy lifestyle or manage weight, as it can provide sustained energy and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Oats dried, shelled, and coarsely ground: wild oats, loose habits of young men: to sow one's wild oats, to indulge in loose habits or forbiddeu pleasures,-used in the past, to have sown one's wild oats, it implies the abandoument of them.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "oatmeal" can be traced back to the Old English word "ātmele", which is a combination of "āte" (meaning "oat") and "mele" (meaning "meal" or "ground grains"). "Āte" itself can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic root "*ait-", which refers to the grain. Over time, "ātmele" evolved into "oaten mele" and finally became "oatmeal" in Modern English.
