mishmash

noun

mish·​mash ˈmish-ˌmash How to pronounce mishmash (audio)
-ˌmäsh

Examples of mishmash in a Sentence

the painting was just a mishmash of colors and abstract shapes as far as we could tell
Recent Examples on the Web Read full article The result is a mishmash of sometimes humorous, never scary, rarely poignant tall tales that seem designed for an outdoor fair rather than a tavern. Terry Byrne, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Sep. 2023 Despite the alternatives that exist, the US is a mishmash of differing transportation approaches that still vastly favor automobiles over cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternatives, and most Americans have no choice but to drive. Wes Davis, The Verge, 30 Aug. 2023 Just as Los Angeles’s mishmash of architectural eras results in moments of unexpected beauty, the home’s clash of periods and styles is somehow harmonious — and, most of all, joyful. Max Berlinger, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2023 These are crises decades in the making, exacerbated by the complexities of governing the mishmash of 34 municipalities that make up greater Miami and putting off expensive solutions. Michael Smith, Fortune, 31 July 2023 Just a sliver of new cars sold in the United States are EVs, but these machines have united a mishmash of people eager to move America away from gasoline. David Zipper, The Atlantic, 19 July 2023 One night, however — according to a mishmash of history and legend — a miller’s daughter named Violetta managed to fight him off. Jon Mooallem Andrea Frazzetta, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up Inside, across tilted floorboards, nothing matches: not the dinnerware, nor the decor, a cluttered mishmash of antique camp. Lindsay Crudele, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2023 DiCaprio’s pal Tobey Maguire — dressed in a mishmash of a black suit, gold chain and sneakers with brown soles — kept pacing around the tent. Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 26 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mishmash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English & Yiddish; Middle English mysse masche, perhaps reduplication of mash mash; Yiddish mish-mash, perhaps reduplication of mishn to mix

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mishmash was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near mishmash

Cite this Entry

“Mishmash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mishmash. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

mishmash

noun
mish·​mash ˈmish-ˌmash How to pronounce mishmash (audio)
-ˌmäsh
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!