noun
Very common
mike
MYK
Mike (noun) means an informal short form of "microphone". Example: “She tapped the mike to check it was working.”
noun
1
An informal short form of "microphone".
"She tapped the mike to check it was working."
"Hold the mike closer to your mouth so everyone can hear."
"The singer dropped the mike and walked off the stage laughing."
verb
1
To fit someone or something with a microphone.
"The sound engineer miked up the whole band before the show."
"They miked the choir so the back rows could be heard."
"The director asked the crew to mike each actor before filming."
name
1
A common short form of the male name Michael.
"Everyone just calls him Mike."
How to use mike
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe everyday word for a microphone, or a common nickname for Michael.
Common mistake
Both "mike" and "mic" are used as informal spellings for microphone; "mike" is more traditional, "mic" more common in print today.
Common pairings
open mike
mike check
mike up
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Word forms
- Plural
- mikes
- Third person singular
- mikes
- Past tense
- miked
Fill the gap
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She tapped the _____ to check it was working.
Etymology
A shortening of "mic", itself short for "microphone"; in radio spelling alphabets, "Mike" stands for the letter M.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mike
See all rhymes for mike →Frequently asked questions
What does “mike” mean?
The word “mike” means an informal short form of "microphone". In plain terms, the everyday word for a microphone, or a common nickname for Michael.
How do you pronounce “mike”?
“Mike” is pronounced MYK (/ˈmaɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “mike” in a sentence?
Here is “mike” used in a sentence: “She tapped the mike to check it was working.”
What part of speech is “mike”?
Depending on how it is used, “mike” can be a noun, a verb and a name.
Is “mike” a common word?
“Mike” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mike” have?
“Mike” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal short form of "microphone".
What is the difference between mike and microphone?
There is no difference in meaning. Mike is simply the informal short form of microphone, used in casual speech and writing. You might say pass me the mike rather than pass me the microphone. The spelling mic is also common, though mike reflects how the word is pronounced.
Is it spelled mike or mic?
Both are accepted short forms of microphone. Mic is more common in technical and industry contexts and matches the abbreviation on equipment. Mike is the older spelling that mirrors the pronunciation, so it never causes confusion about how to say it. Choice largely comes down to style and preference.
Is mike formal or informal?
Mike is informal. In professional, technical, or written contexts, microphone is preferred. Mike suits everyday conversation, broadcasting slang, and casual notes. It carries no negative tone; it is simply a relaxed, familiar way of referring to the same piece of audio equipment.
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