mincing

[ min-sing ]

adjective

1. (of the gait, speech, behavior, etc.) affectedly dainty, nice, or elegant.

mincing

/ ˈmɪnsɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a person) affectedly elegant in gait, manner, or speech

Derived Forms

• ˈmincingly, adverb

Other Words From

• mincing·ly adverb
• un·mincing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mincing¹

First recorded in 1520–30; mince + -ing ²

Example Sentences

It’s an uncomplicated recipe that also came together quickly, though with all the bell pepper and celery chopping, not to mention the garlic mincing, this took me more like 45 to 50 minutes.

From Eater

We must see what has happened today for what it is, with no mincing of words and no obfuscations.

From Washington Post

“James Woods has a reputation in the business of not mincing words,” Breitbart posted in September 2013.

From The Daily Beast

He also has a best supporting actor nomination for his mincing, lovestruck Olivia in Twelfth Night.

From The Daily Beast

Stirling was never addicted to mincing matters, but Weston could not quite repress a grin.

From Project Gutenberg

I must venture to add, without mincing the matter, what I really believe, of this Book.

From Project Gutenberg

There were whisperings below, and apparently a hurried consultation, and then a young woman came mincing up the stairs.

From Project Gutenberg

After the world of politics, with its hair-splitting and word-mincing, it was good to be with soldiers—the men who do the work.

From Project Gutenberg

I have heard it said of ladies who walk with a mincing gait that "she steps out like a hen before day."

From Project Gutenberg