mince

American  

[mins] / mɪns /

verb (used with object)

minced, mincing

1. to cut or chop into very small pieces.

2. to soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), especially for the sake of decorum or courtesy.

3. to perform or utter with affected elegance.

4. to subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study.

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verb (used without object)

minced, mincing

1. to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.

2. Archaic. to act or speak with affected elegance.

noun

1. something cut up very small; mincemeat.

idioms

1. not mince words / matters, to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken.

   He was angry and didn't mince words.

mince British  

/ mɪns /

verb

1. (tr) to chop, grind, or cut into very small pieces

2. (tr) to soften or moderate, esp for the sake of convention or politeness

   I didn't mince my words

3. (intr) to walk or speak in an affected dainty manner

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noun

1. minced meat

2. informal nonsensical rubbish

Other Word Forms

• mincer
  noun
• unminced
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mince

1350–1400; Middle English mincen < Middle French minc ( i ) er < Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to mince; see minute ²

Explanation

To mince is to chop into tiny bits. Your favorite soup recipe might include directions to mince four cloves of garlic. When you dice an onion into very small pieces, you mince it, and when you grind meat very fine to make sausage or mincemeat, you also mince. Another meaning of the verb is to soften, or to express something in a gentle way: "She doesn't mince her words." This word can also mean to walk in a dainty manner, like the way your 7-year-old niece might mince across the floor while pretending to be a fancy princess. The Old French root, mincier, means "make into small pieces," and it comes from the Latin word for "small," minutus.

Example Sentences

Mince pies have also been a Christmas season must-have and now come in many luxurious flavours.

From BBC • Dec. 24, 2025

Mince about a tablespoon of fresh thyme, and blend it with ½ cup softened butter, a teaspoon of minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.

From Washington Times • Jun. 8, 2023

Mince or finely chop the garlic and saute it until golden.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2022

Mince or finely grate 3 garlic cloves and add them to the skillet.

From Washington Post • Feb. 2, 2022

Mince up some parsley, mushrooms, shalot, a clove of garlic, a slice of bacon, with salt and pepper to taste.

From Dressed Game and Poultry à la Mode by Salis, Harriet A. de

Related Words

• crumble
• grind