English Reference
verb · noun

mix

v. · n.
US /ˈmɪks/ UK /mˈɪks/ mix

  1. 01 A2 Elementary Cooking

    v.to put different things together so they become one substance.

    v.to combine two or more substances into one mass or mixture, typically through stirring or agitation.

    Simple

    Mix the flour and sugar together before adding the eggs.

    In context

    The recipe instructs you to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure the leavening agent is evenly distributed before introducing any liquids.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.to spend time and talk with different people in a social way.

    v.to associate or socialise with others, especially in a group or at a social event.

    Simple

    The party is a great chance to mix with people from different departments.

    In context

    The conference organisers scheduled several coffee breaks to encourage delegates from different academic backgrounds to mix and share their research.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Music

    v.to join different sounds or tracks together to make a final song.

    v.to combine and balance multiple sound tracks into a single master recording.

    Simple

    The band spent three days in the studio to mix their new album.

    In context

    The sound engineer had to mix the vocal tracks carefully to ensure they weren't drowned out by the heavy bass and drums.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate

    n.a collection of different things or people in one place.

    n.a combination of different elements, qualities, or people.

    Simple

    The city has an interesting mix of old and new buildings.

    In context

    The audience was a diverse mix of local residents and international tourists, all drawn by the festival's reputation for eclectic performances.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate Cooking

    n.a prepared powder that you add liquid to for making food like cake or bread.

    n.a commercially prepared mixture of ingredients for making a specific food item.

    Simple

    I used a box of cake mix because I didn't have much time to bake.

    In context

    While professional bakers prefer starting from scratch, many households rely on high-quality bread mix for consistent results with minimal effort.

  6. 06 B1 Intermediate Music

    n.a version of a song or a collection of songs put together.

    n.a specific version of a recording or a sequence of tracks blended together.

    Simple

    She made a special mix of her favourite songs for the road trip.

    In context

    The DJ's latest mix features a seamless transition between classic house tracks and contemporary electronic beats.


Etymology 1

From Middle English mixen (attested in past tense as mixed, myxyd), from Old English mixian, miscian, from Proto-West Germanic miskijan, from Proto-Germanic miskijaną, from Proto-Indo-European miḱ-sḱé-ti, from meyǵ-, meyḱ- (“to mix”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian miskje (“to mix, blend”), Middle Dutch mischen (“to mix”), Low German misken, mischen (“to mix”), Old High German miskian, miskēn (“to mix”) (German mischen), Welsh mysgu (“to mix”), Latin misceō (“mix”), Ancient Greek μῑ́γνῡμῐ (mī́gnūmĭ, “to mix”), Old Church Slavonic мѣсити (měsiti, “to mix”), Lithuanian mišti and maišyti (“to mix”), Sanskrit मिश्र (miśra, “mixed”), Persian آمیختن (âmixtan, “to mix”), Old English māsc (“mixture, mash”). More at mash.

Etymology 2

A merger of a nominal use of the verb and a borrowing from Anglo-Norman mixte, from Latin mixtus, past participle of misceō (“mix”). Nowadays regarded automatically as the nominal form of the verb.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin gem-pro *miskijaną
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated