mash
mash
Mash (noun) means a soft, pulpy mixture made by crushing or beating something, especially mashed potatoes. Example: “He served sausages with a generous helping of mash.”
noun
1
A soft, pulpy mixture made by crushing or beating something, especially mashed potatoes.
"He served sausages with a generous helping of mash."
"The banana had turned to mash at the bottom of the bag."
verb
1
To crush something into a soft, pulpy mass.
"Mash the potatoes with butter and milk until smooth."
"She mashed the avocado for the guacamole."
2
To press a button rapidly and repeatedly.
"He mashed the buttons on his controller trying to land the combo."
How to use mash
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo crush food (or press buttons) into a soft or rapid mess.
Common pairings
mashed potatoes
mash a button
mash it up
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Word forms
- Plural
- mashes
- Third person singular
- mashes
- Past tense
- mashed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He served sausages with a generous helping of _____.
Etymology
From Old English mǣsc, related to German Maische and the English word "mix."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mash
See all rhymes for mash →Frequently asked questions
What does “mash” mean?
The word “mash” means a soft, pulpy mixture made by crushing or beating something, especially mashed potatoes. In plain terms, to crush food (or press buttons) into a soft or rapid mess.
How do you pronounce “mash”?
“Mash” is pronounced mash (/mæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “mash” in a sentence?
Here is “mash” used in a sentence: “He served sausages with a generous helping of mash.”
What part of speech is “mash”?
Depending on how it is used, “mash” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mash” come from?
The word “mash” comes from Old English. From Old English mǣsc, related to German Maische and the English word "mix.".
Is “mash” a common word?
“Mash” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mash” have?
“Mash” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, pulpy mixture made by crushing or beating something, especially mashed potatoes.
What is the difference between mash and mashed potatoes?
Mash is a general noun for a soft, pulpy mixture made by crushing or beating something, and in British English it is also used as shorthand specifically for mashed potatoes. So while all mashed potatoes can be called mash, mash itself can also refer to other crushed, pulpy mixtures.
What does it mean to mash a button in gaming?
To mash a button means to press it rapidly and repeatedly, a usage common in video game instructions and descriptions. This sense is distinct from the cooking-related meaning of crushing food into a pulp.
What is the difference between mash and crush?
Mash specifically implies working something into a soft, pulpy mass, often through repeated pressing or beating, while crush more generally means to apply force to break or flatten something, which may not result in a pulpy texture. Mash is commonly applied to food, while crush has broader physical applications.
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