mitten

noun

mit·​ten ˈmi-tᵊn 

1

: a covering for the hand and wrist having a separate section for the thumb only

2

: mitt sense 1a

mittened

ˈmi-tᵊnd 

adjective

Examples of mitten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wearing a pom pom hat and mittens and shovel in hand, a smiling Michelle Wu is trying to convince residents that the massive snow mounds plaguing city streets are not a bad thing, but a joyful experience. —Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2026

White paper over a white tablecloth, pinned there like mittens on a kindergartner’s coat. —Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 25 Feb. 2026

On February 13th, for his free skate, Malinin glided out onto the ice wearing a sheer shirt with sequins studded in the shape of a blooming flame; the sleeves flowed past his wrists and sheathed both of his hands, like a pair of stockings masquerading as mittens. —Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2026

Gloves and Mittens Winter gloves and mittens can collect plenty of dirt and grime. —Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mitain, from Anglo-French, probably from Old French mite, name for a cat

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mitten

• bitten
• briton
• chiton
• gittin
• kitten
• smitten
• whitten
• written
• handwritten
• rewritten
• typewritten
• unwritten

Kids Definition

mitten

noun

mit·​ten ˈmit-ᵊn 

: a covering for the hand and wrist having a separate section for the thumb only

mittened

ˈmit-ᵊnd 

adjective