mix

1 of 2

verb

mixed; mixing; mixes

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to combine or blend into one mass
(2)
: to combine with another
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
3
: confuse
often used with up
mixes things up in his eagerness to speak outIrving Howe

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become mixed
b
: to be capable of mixing
2
: to enter into relations : associate
3
4
: to become involved : participate
decided not to mix in politics
mixable 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 amenitiesLondon Times
3
Phrases
mix it up
: to engage in a fight, contest, or dispute
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
Dairy mixed with soda isn’t new for a good chunk of the world. Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 28 Sep. 2024 Each season in Paris, Roger Vivier stages a spellbinding presentation that mixes fashion with a little bit of performance, artisanal craft and a lot of celebs. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2024
Noun
The music is a mix of Mexican and Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, funk, rock and gospel. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2024 Based in an affluent, northern New Jersey suburb that is home to many entertainment creatives including longtime fest supporter Stephen Colbert, MFF will feature a mix of high-profile narrative films and documentaries. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mix 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mix.' 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

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 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near mix

Cite this Entry

“Mix.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mix. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

mix

1 of 2 verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on mix

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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