mineral
MIHN-uh-ruhl
Mineral (noun) means a naturally occurring solid substance with a definite chemical makeup, such as quartz or salt. Example: “The museum displays a glittering case of minerals dug from old mines nearby.”
noun
1
A naturally occurring solid substance with a definite chemical makeup, such as quartz or salt.
"The museum displays a glittering case of minerals dug from old mines nearby."
"Geologists catalogued dozens of rare minerals in the cave."
"Diamond is one of the hardest minerals known."
2
An inorganic element or compound the body needs for good health, such as calcium or iron.
"Doctors say your body needs small amounts of minerals such as zinc to stay healthy."
"Milk is rich in calcium, a mineral that keeps bones and teeth strong."
"Leafy greens are a good source of vitamins and minerals."
adj
1
Relating to, made of, or containing minerals.
"She bought a jar of mineral salts to add to her bath."
"The mineral content of the local water leaves white marks inside the kettle."
"The spa is famous for its mineral springs."
How to use mineral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA natural, non-living substance, either a rock-forming compound or one of the nutrients your body needs.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
mineral deficiency
mineral water
essential minerals
mineral deposit
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Word forms
- Plural
- minerals
Fill the gap
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The museum displays a glittering case of _____ dug from old mines nearby.
Etymology
From Old French mineral, going back to a Medieval Latin word for ore, ultimately from Latin mina, "ore."
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for mineral
feral
literal
general
liberal
funeral
lateral
federal
several
visceral
ephemeral
bilateral
collateral
See all rhymes for mineral →
Frequently asked questions
What does “mineral” mean?
The word “mineral” means a naturally occurring solid substance with a definite chemical makeup, such as quartz or salt. In plain terms, a natural, non-living substance, either a rock-forming compound or one of the nutrients your body needs.
How do you pronounce “mineral”?
“Mineral” is pronounced MIHN-uh-ruhl (/ˈmɪn.ɚ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mineral” in a sentence?
Here is “mineral” used in a sentence: “Geologists catalogued dozens of rare minerals in the cave.”
What part of speech is “mineral”?
Depending on how it is used, “mineral” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “mineral” come from?
The word “mineral” comes from Medieval Latin. From Old French mineral, going back to a Medieval Latin word for ore, ultimately from Latin mina, "ore.".
Is “mineral” a common word?
“Mineral” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mineral” have?
“Mineral” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a naturally occurring solid substance with a definite chemical makeup, such as quartz or salt.
What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?
A mineral is a single naturally occurring solid substance with a definite chemical makeup, such as quartz or salt. A rock is usually a mixture of one or more minerals, so it has no single fixed chemical formula.
What is the difference between vitamins and minerals?
Both are nutrients the body needs in small amounts, but they differ chemically. Minerals are inorganic elements or compounds, such as calcium or iron, while vitamins are organic compounds originally made by living things.
Is water a mineral?
Under the usual definition, no, because a mineral must be a naturally occurring solid and liquid water is not solid. Naturally formed ice, however, does meet the definition, since it is a solid with a definite chemical makeup.
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