mingle

American  

[ming-guhl] / ˈmɪŋ gəl /

verb (used without object)

mingled, mingling

1. to become mixed, blended, or united.

   The herbs and spices mingled to produce an exquisite odor that permeated the house.

2. to associate, mix, or interact in company with others, as at a social event.

   At the party she mingled with some interesting people.

3. to join or take part with others, as in activities or causes.

   I used to like his blog, but he’s started to mingle with bigots.

---

verb (used with object)

mingled, mingling

1. to mix or combine; put together in a mixture; blend.

   During much of history, noble families mingled their bloodlines and forged new alliances.

   Synonyms:

   intermix, intermingle, commingle

2. to unite, join, or conjoin.

3. to associate in company.

   a hostess who mingles diplomats with executives.

4. to form by mixing; compound; concoct.

noun

1. mingles, two or more single, unrelated adults who live together.

2. a social event at which people associate, mix, or interact with others.

   The Chamber of Commerce hosted a mingle for the town's small business owners to kick off their Buy Local campaign.

mingle British  

/ ˈmɪŋɡəl /

verb

1. to mix or cause to mix

2. to come into close association

---

Related Words

See mix.

Other Word Forms

• minglement
  noun
• mingler
  noun
• remingle
  verb
• unmingled
  adjective
• well-mingled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mingle

First recorded in 1425–75; Late Middle English menglen, frequentative of meng(en) “to mix,” Old English mengan; cognate with Dutch, German mengen ) + -(e)len; see origin at -le

Explanation

When things mingle, that means they mix together while still retaining their individual qualities. At a club you may hear laughter that seems to mingle with the sound of the band playing in the background. Mingle often describes abstract things, like smells or tastes or feelings. The look on your face may mingle compassion and horror when you taste your brother’s attempt at making Key Lime Pie. Mingle can also describe what you do at a social gathering when you move around a lot and talk to many different people. If you’re an outgoing person, at a party you probably like to mingle and talk to friends and also chat with new people.

Example Sentences

Later, Charles will mingle with business leaders, including investors and entrepreneurs, at an event highlighting the transatlantic economic ties.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

It also meant personally designing a campus in Murray Hill where departments were spread apart, so that scientists and engineers would be forced to walk, mingle and engage in serendipitous conversations and debate ideas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

She adds: "I think it's an amazing idea - Tilly gets to mingle with mainstream children and they get a better understanding of children with additional needs."

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

At the weekly gathering, which features a food vendor, cocktails, tattoo artists and DJs, you can “competitively play chess, learn the game, meet new friends or mingle as a single person,” Thompson shares.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

“Yo, you remember that brother wanted to mingle our blood and stuff?”

From "Fallen Angels" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• blend
• intermingle
• meld
• mix