English Reference

Word

mix

US/ˈmɪks/

UK/mˈɪks/

Definitions

01to combine substances

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.

“Mix the flour and sugar together before adding the eggs.”

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

Synonyms

Antonyms

02to associate with people

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.

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

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

Antonyms

03to balance audio

B2 · Upper Intermediate Music Technical

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.

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

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

Synonyms

04a combination of things

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

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

05prepared food powder

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun 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.

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

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

Synonyms

06recorded music

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun 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.

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

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

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mix” in context.

Verb

01. gently mix

“Gently mix the berries into the cream to avoid crushing them.”

adv + verb

02. mix well

“The oil and water do not mix well together.”

verb + adv

03. mix with

“Do not mix business with pleasure if you want to stay happy.”

verb + prep

04. thoroughly mix

“Thoroughly mix the flour and butter until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.”

adv + verb

Noun

05. mix of ingredients

“You need to mix a variety of ingredients to get the right flavor.”

verb + prep + noun

06. mix and match

“You can mix and match different styles to create a unique look.”

07. mix freely with

“The guests were encouraged to mix freely with one another during the party.”

08. mix in a bowl

“Mix all the dry components in a large bowl before adding the milk.”

Etymology

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.

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.

Word family

VERB

mix(B1)

ADJECTIVE

PHRASAL VERB

Idioms

Domain

Music

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Common
Level
B1 · IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference