mix

1 of 2

verb

ˈmiks 

mixed; mixing; mixes

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to combine or blend into one mass

Make purple by mixing red and blue.

(2)

: to combine with another

mix flour and water

b

: to bring into close association

mix business with pleasure

2

a

: to form by mixing components

mix a drink at the bar

b

: to produce (a sound recording) by electronically combining or adjusting sounds from more than one source

intransitive verb

1

a

: to become mixed

b(1)

: to be capable of mixing

Oil and water don't mix.

(2)

: to be able to be combined or put together with good results

—usually used in negative statements

Driving and alcohol don't mix.

2

: to enter into relations : associate

She mixes well in social situations.

Our families do not mix. [=don't get along]

3

: crossbreed

4

: to become involved : participate

decided not to mix in politics

mixable

ˈmik-sə-bəl 

adjective

mix

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or process of mixing

2

: a product of mixing: such as

a

: a commercially prepared mixture of food ingredients

a cake mix

b

: a combination of different kinds

… the right mix of jobs, people and amenities.

—London Times

3

: mixer sense 2b

Phrases

mix it up

: to engage in a fight, contest, or dispute

mix up

1

: to mistakenly think that (someone or something) is someone or something else : confuse

mixed the twins up

mixed up the times for the meetings

2

: to mistakenly put (something) in a place where something else should be

mixed up the two files

3

: to cause (someone) to be involved in a usually dangerous or improper activity

—usually used as (be/get) mixed up in

got mixed up in an illegal scheme

4

: to cause (someone) to become involved with usually bad or dangerous people

Synonyms of mix

Verb

• combine
• blend
• integrate
• merge
• amalgamate
• incorporate
• add

Noun

• mixture
• blend
• amalgamation
• amalgam
• alloy
• combination

Choose the Right Synonym for mix

mix, mingle, commingle, blend, merge, coalesce, amalgamate, fuse mean to combine into a more or less uniform whole.

mix may or may not imply loss of each element's identity.

mix the salad greens

mix a drink

mingle usually suggests that the elements are still somewhat distinguishable or separately active.

fear mingled with anticipation in my mind

commingle implies a closer or more thorough mingling.

a sense of duty commingled with a fierce pride drove her

blend implies that the elements as such disappear in the resulting mixture.

blended several teas to create a balanced flavor

merge suggests a combining in which one or more elements are lost in the whole.

in his mind reality and fantasy merged

coalesce implies an affinity in the merging elements and usually a resulting organic unity.

telling details that coalesce into a striking portrait

amalgamate implies the forming of a close union without complete loss of individual identities.

refugees who were readily amalgamated into the community

fuse stresses oneness and indissolubility of the resulting product.

a building in which modernism and classicism are fused

Examples of mix in a Sentence

Verb

To make frosting for the cake, mix powdered sugar with a little milk and vanilla.

You can make purple by mixing the colors red and blue.

Mix some water with the flour to make a paste.

Noun

a new brand of soup mixes

We bought two boxes of muffin mix.

a snack mix containing pretzels, nuts, and raisins

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Santa Muerte is a Mexican folk religion that mixes traditional aspects of Catholicism and ancient Aztec beliefs. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025

There’s the mix-and-match flowers, the stellar freezer aisle, and the surprisingly good beauty section. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025

Noun

Years ago, Californians voted to have a commission handle its redistricting once a decade and take politics out of the mix. —Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Nov. 2025

Tail chasing is the favorite hobby that the six-month-old American Shorthair/Siamese mix indulges in throughout the day, says her owner, Colleen Metz. —Evan Moore november 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, back-formation from mixte mixed, from Anglo-French, from Latin mixtus, past participle of miscēre to mix; akin to Greek mignynai to mix

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

circa 1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing mix

• do not mix
• mix and match
• mix business with pleasure
• mix it
• mix tape
• mix-up
• mix up in
• mix up with
• pick-and-mix
• trail mix

Rhymes for mix

• bricks
• brix
• chicks
• clicks
• cliques
• dicks
• fix
• flicks
• kicks
• knicks
• licks
• nicks

Kids Definition

mix

1 of 2 verb

ˈmiks 

1

: to make into one mass by stirring together : blend

2

: to make by combining different things

3

: to become one mass through blending

oil will not mix with water

4

: to associate with others on friendly terms

mixes well in any company

5

: confuse sense 3

mix up facts

mix

2 of 2 noun

: mixture

especially : a prepared mixture of ingredients for use in preparing foods

a muffin mix