mince
2 synonyms for mince, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Meat that has been finely chopped or ground.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Meat that has been finely chopped or ground.
“She browned the mince before adding the tomatoes and onions.”
How to use mince
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
minced beef
not mince words
mince garlic
Etymology
From Old French mincier ("to cut into small pieces"), related to Old English words meaning "to make smaller" — ultimately from the same root as "minus" and "minor".
Full origin of mince →Frequently asked questions
What does “mince” mean?
The word “mince” means meat that has been finely chopped or ground. In plain terms, as a noun, finely chopped meat (what Americans usually call "ground meat"); as a verb, to chop finely, or to speak in a careful, softened way, or to walk with small dainty steps.
How do you pronounce “mince”?
“Mince” is pronounced mihns (/mɪns/ in IPA).
How do you use “mince” in a sentence?
Here is “mince” used in a sentence: “She browned the mince before adding the tomatoes and onions.”
What part of speech is “mince”?
Depending on how it is used, “mince” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mince” come from?
The word “mince” comes from Old French. From Old French mincier ("to cut into small pieces"), related to Old English words meaning "to make smaller" — ultimately from the same root as "minus" and "minor".
How many meanings does “mince” have?
“Mince” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: meat that has been finely chopped or ground.
