mince
Mince (noun) means Meat that has been finely chopped or ground. Example: “She browned the mince before adding the tomatoes and onions.”
How to use mince
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs 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.
British English uses "mince" for what American English usually calls "ground beef" or "ground meat".
Word forms
minced past tense, minces plural, minces singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She browned the _____ before adding the tomatoes and onions.
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".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mince
See all rhymes for 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.