mix
verb (used with object)
to combine (substances, elements, things, etc.) into one mass, collection, or assemblage, generally with a thorough blending of the constituents.
mix
1 American
[miks]
/ mɪks /
verb (used with object)
-
mixes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
mixed,
past participle, past
-
mixt,
past participle, past (Archaic)
-
mixing
present participle
-
to combine (substances, elements, things, etc.) into one mass, collection, or assemblage, generally with a thorough blending of the constituents.
- Synonyms:
- fuse, amalgamate, unite, jumble, commingle
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to put together indiscriminately or confusedly (often followed byup ).
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to combine, unite, or join.
to mix business and pleasure.
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to add as an element or ingredient.
Mix some salt into the flour.
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to form or make by combining ingredients: to mix mortar.
to mix a cake;
to mix mortar.
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to crossbreed.
-
Movies.
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to combine, blend, edit, etc. (the various components of a soundtrack).
to mix dialogue and sound effects.
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to complete the mixing process on (a film, soundtrack, etc.).
an important movie that took months to mix.
-
-
to combine (two or more separate recordings or microphone signals) to make a single recording or composite signal.
verb (used without object)
-
mixes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
mixed,
past participle, past
-
mixt,
past participle, past (Archaic)
-
mixing
present participle
-
to become mixed.
a paint that mixes easily with water.
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to associate or mingle, as in company.
to mix with the other guests at a party.
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to be crossbred, or of mixed breeding.
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Boxing. to exchange blows vigorously and aggressively.
The crowd jeered as the fighters clinched, refusing to mix.
noun
-
mixes
plural
-
an act or instance of mixing.
-
the result of mixing; mixture.
cement mix;
an odd mix of gaiety and sadness.
- Synonyms:
- formula, concoction
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a commercially prepared blend of ingredients to which usually only a liquid must be added to make up the total of ingredients necessary or obtain the desired consistency: muffin mix.
a cake mix;
muffin mix.
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Music. music or songs selected and recorded as a mixtape: a mix of Christmas songs;
the ultimate one-hour workout mix;
a mix of Christmas songs;
a DJ mix.
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the proportion of ingredients in a mixture; formula.
a mix of two to one.
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Informal. a mess or muddle; mix-up.
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Music. an electronic blending of tracks or sounds made to produce a recording.
verb phrase
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mix up
-
to confuse completely, especially to mistake one person or thing for another.
The teacher was always mixing up the twins.
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to involve or entangle.
-
-
mix down to mix the tracks of an existing recording to make a new recording with fewer tracks.
The various instrumental and vocal tracks were mixed down to stereo in the studio.
idioms
Mix
2
American
[miks]
/ mɪks /
noun
mix
British
/ mɪks /
verb
-
(tr) to combine or blend (ingredients, liquids, objects, etc) together into one mass
-
(intr) to become or have the capacity to become combined, joined, etc
some chemicals do not mix
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(tr) to form (something) by combining two or more constituents
to mix cement
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(tr; often foll by in or into) to add as an additional part or element (to a mass or compound)
to mix flour into a batter
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(tr) to do at the same time; combine
to mix study and pleasure
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(tr) to consume (drinks or foods) in close succession
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to come or cause to come into association socially
Pauline has never mixed well
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to go together; complement
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(tr) to crossbreed (differing strains of plants or breeds of livestock), esp more or less at random
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(tr) electronics to combine (two or more signals)
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music
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(in sound recording) to balance and adjust (the recorded tracks) on a multitrack tape machine
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(in live performance) to balance and adjust (the output levels from microphones and pick-ups)
-
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(tr) to merge (two lengths of film) so that the effect is imperceptible
-
informal
-
to cause mischief or trouble, often for a person named
she tried to mix it for John
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to fight
-
noun
-
the act or an instance of mixing
-
the result of mixing; mixture
-
a mixture of ingredients, esp one commercially prepared for making a cake, bread, etc
-
music the sound obtained by mixing
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building trades civil engineering the proportions of cement, sand, and aggregate in mortar, plaster, or concrete
-
informal a state of confusion, bewilderment
Synonym Usage
Mix, blend, combine, mingle concern the bringing of two or more things into more or less intimate association. Mix is the general word for such association: to mix fruit juices. Blend implies such a harmonious joining of two or more types of colors, feelings, etc., that the new product formed displays some of the qualities of each: to blend fragrances or whiskeys. Combine implies such a close or intimate union that distinction between the parts is lost: to combine forces. Mingle usually suggests retained identity of the parts: to mingle voices.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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mixabilitynoun
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mixablenessnoun
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overmixverb
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unmixverb (used with object)
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mixableadjective
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unmixableadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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mixsimple
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mixessimple
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have mixedperfect
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have mixtperfect
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has mixedperfect
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has mixtperfect
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am mixingprogressive
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are mixingprogressive
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is mixingprogressive
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have been mixingperfect progressive
-
has been mixingperfect progressive
Past
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mixedsimple
-
mixtsimple
-
had mixedperfect
-
had mixtperfect
-
was mixingprogressive
-
were mixingprogressive
-
had been mixingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of mix
First recorded in 1470–80; back formation from mixt; see mixed ( def. )
Explanation
To mix is to combine or blend different things together. If you mix baking soda and vinegar, you can create an erupting volcano for your science project. Scientists mix chemical substances; bakers mix flour, eggs, milk, and sugar; and songwriters mix different musical elements — in each of these cases, the result is also a mix, a combination of different things into a new whole. The word mix comes from the Middle English adjective mixte, "composed of more than one element," which is rooted in the Latin miscere, "to mix or blend," and also "to throw into confusion."
Vocabulary lists containing mix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Her book deploys a mix of compelling facts and anecdotes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
"Now that Xavier is growing up - he's fast approaching school age - another thing that will have to be added into the mix is his stability," says Jessica.
From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026
Sometimes they mix it up with a grunt-oink combo or “groink.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
The company has a diversified revenue mix but relatively less exposure than other companies to attractive aerospace and defense subsectors such as large commercial engines or missiles, Stallard added.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
“I’m going to talk about the triple blend,” Brooklyn answered, referring to the special mix of chemicals used in their proposal.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
"The wellbeing of our viewers is our top priority, and we work with experts including the NHS, Mind and the Mix to refine our approach to mental health," a YouTube spokeswoman said.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
There was another problem: Smucker mainly serves supermarkets’ center aisles, with brands like Jif, Folgers and Meow Mix.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
She also spread Theodore Payne’s Rainbow Mix wildflower seeds, including California poppies, Arroyo lupine, Desert Bluebells and Clarkia, throughout the landscape.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Mix in perpetual futures, which never expire and allow massive leverage, and you have a spectacle that isn’t too dissimilar from watching people play an adrenaline-rushing videogame.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 13, 2026
At the time, however, it seemed to me that in the Chief all the most photogenic features of Buck Jones, Ken Maynard, and Tom Mix had been smoothly amalgamated.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
He follows Asian Network on TikTok, watching interview clips and mixes.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Bagged salad mixes and kits have been linked to previous Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada, according to Michigan health officials.
From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026
“This event really resonated with me, because it mixes two things that I really love, music and being a part of nature,” said Tsoi, adding the commute was worth it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
Elsewhere, Unilever last month talked up Liquid I.V., a maker of electrolyte-drink mixes that it bought in 2020.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 11, 2026
The sharp, sweet smell of rotting apples mixes with the scent of wet earth in my nose.
From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth
The SEC change may have had mixed results on this year’s numbers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
Asian equities were mixed following a tepid day on Wall Street.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
“Firefighters on the ground are experiencing some extremely steep and rugged terrain mixed with hot, dry temperatures and winds that are pretty variable,” Cal Fire Battalian Chief Josh Silveira said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
It was Great Britain's second medal on the opening day of action, after the hosts took silver in the mixed 4x400m relay.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Penelope’s feelings were so mixed between joy and something far more bittersweet, one might easily have mistaken it for Christmas Day.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
He submitted, with a look, also, of reproach; though expressive, at the same time, of reverence and admiration mixt with the deepest regret.
From The Wanderer (Volume 2 of 5) or, Female Difficulties by Burney, Fanny
Hot water was mixt with the wine in the Greek churches for some centuries, and this custom is seen in catacomb paintings.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 8 "Ethiopia" to "Evangelical Association" by Various
It is a whitish and scaly Tumour rais'd in the Skin of the Head by a viscous and mixt Phlegm, having its Root in the bottom of the Skin.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel
Thare iz one man in this basement world that i alwus look upon with mixt pheelings ov pitty and respekt.
From The Complete Works of Josh Billings by Shaw, Henry W.
To cure 'em, they must be touch'd with the Lapis Infernalis, and brought to Suppuration by the means of red Precipitate mixt with the Ointment of Andreas Crucius.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel
Regularly spotted around the site's shops and bars, he too has become an attraction in his own right, mixing among ravers and drinkers.
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
That mixing could help magnetic fields move quickly from the surface upward into the Sun's atmosphere.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026
It was put on tap, eliminating the need for staff to do the mixing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
Philippe the Original was in business, but Musso & Frank Grill was three years away from mixing its first martini.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
She reached for bits of green, mixing them with something else.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
