# mince

/ˈmɪns/ (US) · /mˈɪns/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mince
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

meat that has been cut into very small pieces using a machine. You use it to make dishes like burgers, pasta sauce, or pies.

For teachers: meat, typically beef, that has been finely chopped or ground in a mincer. Often used as a base for various culinary preparations.

## Examples

- I bought some beef mince to make a bolognese sauce.
- The recipe calls for five hundred grams of lean pork mince and a variety of fresh herbs.
- While higher fat content in mince provides more flavour during the browning process, many health-conscious consumers prefer leaner grinds for their everyday cooking.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I bought three minces" but "I bought three packs of mince" — Mince is typically uncountable; use a container or weight to specify quantity.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the meat as a substance; occasionally countable in British English when referring to specific types or portions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.