mince

[ mins ]

verb (used with object)

, minced, minc·ing.

1. to cut or chop into very small pieces.
2. to soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), especially for the sake of decorum or courtesy.
3. to perform or utter with affected elegance.
4. to subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study.

verb (used without object)

, minced, minc·ing.

1. to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.
2. Archaic. to act or speak with affected elegance.

noun

1. something cut up very small; mincemeat.

mince

/ mɪns /

verb

1. tr to chop, grind, or cut into very small pieces
2. tr to soften or moderate, esp for the sake of convention or politeness

   I didn't mince my words

3. intr to walk or speak in an affected dainty manner

noun

1. minced meat
2. informal.
   nonsensical rubbish

Other Words From

• mincer noun
• un·minced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mince¹

1350–1400; Middle English mincen < Middle French minc ( i ) er < Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to mince; minute ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of mince¹

C14: from Old French mincier, from Vulgar Latin minūtiāre (unattested), from Late Latin minūtia smallness; see minutiae

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. not mince words / matters, to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken:

   He was angry and didn't mince words.

Example Sentences

Aside from the middle aisle, Mr McDonnell said there had been a lot of early spend on mince pies, party food and panettone.

From BBC

And we don’t mince our words, that’s for sure.

From Los Angeles Times

On that note, Rawlins said, “I’m no longer going to mince words here when it comes to my opinions on human actions and leadership by governments.”

From Slate

On this issue, Jones did not mince words, calling Lawler a “mini-fascist.”

From Salon

In 2019, when Gerrit Cole spurned his hometown Angels to sign with the New York Yankees, his agent did not mince words in explaining why.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crumble
• grind