Definition & Meaning of "mince"

to mince

VERB

to cut meat or other food into very small pieces, usually using a meat grinder or a sharp knife

Transitive: to mince food ingredients

Example

Mince the garlic cloves finely before adding them to the sauce.

She minces the onions to add flavor to the soup.

Use a meat grinder to mince the beef for the meatballs.

to soften or downplay something, especially by using mild or less direct language

Transitive: to mince a remark

Example

He minced his words when talking about the company ’s recent failures.

The politician minced no words in his speech, carefully avoiding controversial topics.

She tried to mince her criticism, but it still came across as harsh.

to walk in a delicate or exaggeratedly graceful way

Intransitive

Example

She minced across the room in her high heels, trying to look elegant.

He could n’t help but mince around the party, drawing attention to himself.

She minced through the garden, her steps light and precise.

Mince

NOUN

meat that is finely chopped or ground, typically beef

What is "mince"?

Mince refers to finely chopped or ground meat, typically beef, but also lamb, pork, or poultry. It is a versatile ingredient used in a wide range of dishes, including meatballs, burgers, meat sauces, and more. Mincing meat breaks it down into smaller, more manageable pieces, which cook quickly and evenly. Mince can be seasoned and flavored in various ways, making it adaptable to different cuisines and culinary preferences.

Example

For a quick and easy dinner, she cooked the mince with tomato sauce and served it over rice.

I added some diced vegetables to the mince to make a delicious meat sauce for pasta.

food chopped into small bits