noun
mitten
MIH-tuhn
Mitten (noun) means a hand covering with one section for the thumb and a single pouch for the other four fingers. Example: “She knitted a pair of mittens for the baby.”
noun
1
A hand covering with one section for the thumb and a single pouch for the other four fingers.
"She knitted a pair of mittens for the baby."
"His fingers were too cold to grip anything through the thick mittens."
2
A patch of fur on a cat or dog's paw that is a different colour from the rest of its coat.
"The kitten had white mittens on all four paws."
How to use mitten
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA winter glove that keeps the fingers together for warmth, unlike a regular glove.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "gloves," which have a separate section for each finger.
Easily confused with
gloves
glove →
Common pairings
a pair of mittens
woolly mittens
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Word forms
- Plural
- mittens
- Third person singular
- mittens
- Past tense
- mittened
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She knitted a pair of _____ for the baby.
Etymology
From Middle English "myteyne," borrowed from Old French "mitaine," of uncertain origin — possibly linked to a word for "cat" (playfully comparing the shape to a cat's paw) or to a Germanic word meaning "middle/half."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mitten
See all rhymes for mitten →Frequently asked questions
What does “mitten” mean?
The word “mitten” means a hand covering with one section for the thumb and a single pouch for the other four fingers. In plain terms, a winter glove that keeps the fingers together for warmth, unlike a regular glove.
How do you pronounce “mitten”?
“Mitten” is pronounced MIH-tuhn (/ˈmɪtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “mitten” in a sentence?
Here is “mitten” used in a sentence: “She knitted a pair of mittens for the baby.”
What part of speech is “mitten”?
“Mitten” is a noun.
Where does the word “mitten” come from?
The word “mitten” comes from Old French. From Middle English "myteyne," borrowed from Old French "mitaine," of uncertain origin — possibly linked to a word for "cat" (playfully comparing the shape to a cat's paw) or to a Germanic word meaning "middle/half.".
How many meanings does “mitten” have?
“Mitten” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hand covering with one section for the thumb and a single pouch for the other four fingers.
