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
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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.
-
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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)
-
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
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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:
The co-founder of Spotify wants you to start adding wellness into your daily mix.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
Factory efficiency, pricing and vehicle mix, meaning the balance between cheaper and more expensive models, determine how much profit each sale brings in.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
"We plant a mix of different grasses that cope better in the drought," he explains.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
At an investor event, Porsche outlined its medium-term strategy framework, centered on reinforcing its sports-car brand DNA while improving price and mix discipline, lowering capital intensity, and supporting structurally higher profitability and cash generation.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
He pointed out that there was no evidence the Soviet Union was sending offensive weapons to Cuba—but he added some tough talk to the mix.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
"He's a big hard man running that mission. And then immediately terrified of a member of Little Mix touching him on the arm. That's incredible."
From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2026
That same month, the group won its first award, the fan-voted artist duo or group at the 2026 Premios Tu Música Urbano Mix.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Mix the wet ingredients: Whisk the eggs and sugar, then whisk in the melted butter, sour cream and vanilla.
From Salon ● Aug. 16, 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
On others, he’d lie awake in bed, beneath pinups of movie cowboy Tom Mix and his wonder horse, Tony, feeling snared on something from which he couldn’t kick free.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
My sister mixes the mild with queso until it turns a muted pink.
From Salon ● Oct. 7, 2026
Thirlwall said the track, which mixes her striking vocals with Hans Zimmer's signature orchestral builds, was written to be "celebratory".
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
To manage costs, vendors are adjusting specifications and product mixes, while consumers are increasingly delaying upgrades and turning to refurbished devices, it adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
Testing sound mixes at home with his daughter, he learned to balance the heavy beat with clear vocal tracks and familiar melodies so toddlers could still recognize the song.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
She’d said it over and over when she wept over the wreck of her useless cake mixes.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
However, the links are unclear and the evidence is mixed.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Parent company JLR has invested billions reinventing Jaguar and has faced mixed reactions over the design of the Type 01, which was unveiled this week.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
U.S. stocks were mixed as oil futures jumped, bond market volatility continued and doubts surfaced about artificial-intelligence profits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Futures point to a mixed open Wednesday with bond yields and oil prices basically flat overnight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
“You shouldn’t get mixed up with that sort, Miss Lumley, that’s a bad business all around. Although just hearing the words ‘stolen property’ put me in mind of old Mr. Clarke, rest his soul.”
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
Both mixt at last their blood in one rich bed Of rosy martyrdome, twice married.
From The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw, Volume I (of 2) by Richard Crashaw
Cataplasms are also made of Horse-Dung and the Seeds of Cummin beaten, which are boil'd in strong Vinegar, and mixt with Barly-Meal to the Consistence of Pap.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Charles Gabriel Le Clerc
He shall see, he shall confess, that no meanness is mixt with the love of Elinor.
From The Wanderer (Volume 1 of 5) or, Female Difficulties by Fanny Burney
It is often laid alone upon the Bolsters, and sometimes mixt with the Yolks of Eggs, Turpentine, and other Ointments, or with Oils and Plaisters.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Charles Gabriel Le Clerc
It is also good for Chaps, sore Nipples, and other ill Accidents that happen in the Breast; and is us'd for Burns either alone, or mixt with other Ointments.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Charles Gabriel Le Clerc
"If you start out with pure vanilla ice cream but start mixing in sprinkles soon after, it won't be long until you can no longer find any pristine, plain, vanilla ice cream," Zhu said.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
“He loved mixing everything together and celebrating life. One of his sayings was, ‘When in doubt, go flat out.’”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
If the sauce needs nothing from me, I can spend that energy making dessert, mixing a cocktail for guests, warming bread — or simply deciding which sparkling water sounds good.
From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026
Some Western growers believe Chinese growers have been mixing illicitly obtained protected varieties with other blueberry plants, making it harder to enforce intellectual-property claims.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
I guess that is how I started relating to people, mixing with all those groups.
From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola
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.
