noun

minx

mihngks

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Minx (noun) means a flirtatious, cheeky, or mischievous young woman. Example: “She gave him a sly, teasing look — quite the little minx.”

noun

A flirtatious, cheeky, or mischievous young woman.

"A widow with a child was at a disadvantage with these pretty little minxes, she thought. But in these exciting days her widowhood and her motherhood weighed less heavily upon her than ever before." — Margaret Mitchell (1936)

"She gave him a sly, teasing look — quite the little minx."

How to use minx

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA playful, somewhat cheeky word for a bold or flirty young woman.

When to use it

Old-fashioned and often used playfully or affectionately rather than seriously.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: minxes
Third person singular: minxes
Past tense: minxed

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She gave him a sly, teasing look — quite the little _____.

Etymology

PIE word *ǵʰmṓ The origin of the noun is uncertain. The following possible derivations have been suggested: * A variation of minikin (“(obsolete) young person, especially a young woman; small or insignificant person, thing, or amount”) + a variation of -s (suffix forming hypocoristic nouns (nicknames)) (compare minckins, a variant of minikin). * From Dutch mens, mensch (“human being, person; (derogatory, informal) woman”) (obsolete), Middle Dutch minsc, minsce, minsch; or from German Low German minsch, minsk, Middle Low German minsche (“hussy, wench”), all ultimately from Proto-Germanic *manniskaz (“human”, adjective), from *mann- (“human being, person; man”) (possibly from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰmṓ (“earthling”), *men- (“to mind; to think; spiritual activity”), or *mon- (“human being; man”)) + *-iskaz (suffix meaning ‘characteristic of, pertaining to’ forming adjectives). The verb is derived from the noun.

Origin: Dutch

Synonyms

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tease flirt vamp vamper coquette prickteaser

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Rhymes for minx

jinx sphinx

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Frequently asked questions

What does “minx” mean?

The word “minx” means a flirtatious, cheeky, or mischievous young woman. In plain terms, a playful, somewhat cheeky word for a bold or flirty young woman.

How do you pronounce “minx”?

“Minx” is pronounced mihngks (/mɪŋks/ in IPA).

How do you use “minx” in a sentence?

Here is “minx” used in a sentence: “She gave him a sly, teasing look — quite the little minx.”

What part of speech is “minx”?

“Minx” is a noun.

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