Word
mineral
Phoneticsmin·er·al
US/ˈmɪnɝəɫ/
UK/mˈɪnəɹəl/
Definitions
01geological substance
n. a natural substance formed in the earth that is not a plant or animal.
n. a naturally occurring inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure.
“The museum has a large collection of rare minerals from the local mountains.”
“Geologists identified the sample as a rare silicate mineral, noting its unique crystal habit and resistance to chemical weathering.”
02nutritional element
n. a chemical element like iron or calcium that your body needs to stay healthy.
n. an inorganic element essential for the physiological functions of living organisms.
“Milk is a great source of calcium, which is an important mineral for your bones.”
“The nutritionist recommended a diet rich in essential minerals, specifically targeting magnesium and potassium to support cardiovascular health.”
Synonyms
03soft drink
n. a sweet, fizzy drink like soda.
n. a carbonated non-alcoholic beverage; often used to refer to single-serve portions.
“Would you like a mineral with your lunch, or just some water?”
“In many Irish households, it is common to offer guests a mineral, such as a lemonade or ginger ale, upon their arrival.”
British English · Informal · Dialect
Teaching tip
This usage is specific to Ireland and parts of Africa; in most of the UK, 'mineral' usually refers specifically to sparkling water.
Synonyms
04containing minerals
adj. made of or containing minerals.
adj. relating to, containing, or derived from minerals; non-gradable.
“The hikers stopped to drink from a fresh mineral spring.”
“The region is famous for its mineral wealth, attracting significant investment from international mining conglomerates.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“But the good news is most vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, remain stable in produce for days or weeks in the fridge.” “These clay minerals require liquid water to form.” “Swedish researchers are exploring how the country's mineral resources could support cleaner production of rare earth elements (REE) and the powerful magnets made from them.” “Speaking about Brazil’s vast reserves of rare minerals, Lula said, “No one [abroad] will tap our minerals.” Etymology
From Middle English mineral, borrowed from Old French mineral, (French minéral), from Medieval Latin minerale, from minera (“ore”), probably ultimately derived from Latin mina (“ore, mine”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
Idioms
mines and minerals — The legal title to geological resources in the subsurface of a piece of land, usually by reference to being in the same or separate ownership to the surface of that land.