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
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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.
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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
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mixes
plural
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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)
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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
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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:
"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
A roughly equal mix of funds tracking the Russell 1000 Growth and 1000 Value indexes, for example, should approximate the return of the Russell 1000 over time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
A mix of both lets you manage what you pay now and still have tax-free money waiting when the IRS starts forcing withdrawals later.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 6, 2026
My voice has risen above a hiss, coming out as a mix of embarrassment and anger and defensiveness.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Mix of Spanish ‘oro’ or gold and French ‘-ville’
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
She also spread Theodore Payne’s Rainbow Mix wildflower seeds throughout the landscape, including California poppies, Arroyo lupine, Desert Bluebells and Clarkia.
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
Mix with pulsed chickpeas and garlic for a creamier version of hummus.
From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2026
Then he dissolved into pieces of Chex Mix.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
Bagged salad mixes and kits, which have been linked to previous outbreaks in the United States and Canada, were suddenly a no-go.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 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
Rock N Roll Circus, as its name suggests, mixes the traditional elements of a music festival with the thrills of high-wire and fire displays.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 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
She mixes up frothy shakes out of cantaloupe.
From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar
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
One big signing missed and one through the doors - it's been a mixed transfer window for Arsenal.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Still, the company is not yet profitable and its second-quarter earnings came in mixed.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
Leah’s book contained facts, fictions, and long sections that mixed both.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
It is that which is made of a Setling of mixt and corrupt Humours, the Matter whereof is contain'd in certain proper Cystes or Membranous Bags.
From The Compleat Surgeon or, the whole Art of Surgery explain'd in a most familiar Method. by Le Clerc, Charles Gabriel
The night of it was the most Dismall tyme that ever I knew or heard off, for the wind and rain raised soe Confused a noise, mixt with the continuall Cracks of falling houses....
From Virginia under the Stuarts 1607-1688 by Wertenbaker, Thomas Jefferson
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
A look of solemnity repressed him; but 'twas a solemnity mixt with sorrow, not anger.
From The Wanderer (Volume 4 of 5) or, Female Difficulties by Burney, Fanny
Courage and pow'r, to wit and learning join'd, With energy that sham'd the envious sun; The ablest, bravest, noblest of mankind— A Caesar and Aurelius mixt in one.
From Writings in the United Amateur, 1915-1922 by Lovecraft, H. P. (Howard Phillips)
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
The analysis also indicates that the mini-vortices are highly effective at mixing magnetized and non-magnetized plasma at the solar surface.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026
Instead of relying on a single provider, they’re increasingly mixing lower-priced models, including some built in China, alongside products from OpenAI and Anthropic and shopping a la carte for AI.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 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 picked at her pad thai with her chopsticks, mixing it up.
From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro
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.
