mélange

American  

[mey-lahnzh, -lahnj] / meɪˈlɑ̃ʒ, -ˈlɑndʒ /

noun

plural

mélanges

1. a mixture; medley.

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melange British  

/ meɪˈlɑːnʒ /

noun

1. a mixture; confusion

2. geology a totally disordered mixture of rocks of different shapes, sizes, ages, and origins

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mélange Scientific  

/ mā-länzh′ /

1. A metamorphic rock formation created from materials scraped off the top of a downward moving tectonic plate in a subduction zone. Mélanges occur where plates of oceanic crust subduct beneath plates of continental crust, as along the western coast of South America. They consist of intensely deformed marine sediments and ocean-floor basalts and are characterized by the lack of regular strata, the inclusion of fragments and blocks of various rock types, and the presence of minerals that form only under high pressure and low temperature conditions.

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Usage

What does mélange mean? A mélange is a mixture or medley, especially of a wide range or variety of items.It is sometimes spelled without the accent mark, as melange.In geology, it is used in a more specific way to refer to a disordered mixture of rocks of different shapes, sizes, ages, and origins. Such a mixture occurs due to the movement of tectonic plates.Another specific use of mélange refers to a type of fabric made with different colored threads.Example: The documentary is a mélange of video clips, still photos, interviews, and animated sequences.

Etymology

Origin of mélange

1645–55; < French; Old French meslance, equivalent to mesl ( er ) to mix ( meddle ) + -ance noun suffix ≪ Germanic -ingō -ing ¹

Example Sentences

For Lepore, the Constitution is a blueprint of a cathedral, one that has morphed since its inception, rather like New York’s unfinished St. John the Divine with its mélange of architectural styles.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

Teams are a mélange of locals and expats — some with college and minor league experience.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2024

The production is conceived, directed and choreographed by Kate Prince in a mélange of hip-hop and contemporary styles, and the dancers in her company, ZooNation, are technically amazing and totally committed.

From New York Times • May 2, 2024

A mélange of different ethnic identities, languages, religions, castes, and customs makes up the 1.5 billion humans who live here.

From Science Magazine • Mar. 3, 2024

Other nations, he wrote, had mounted exhibits of dignity and style, while American exhibitors erected a mélange of pavilions and kiosks with no artistic guidance and no uniform plan.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• hodgepodge
• jumble
• medley
• miscellany