mincing

UK: /ˈmɪnsɪŋ/ US: (min′sing)

From the verb mince: (⇒ conjugate)

mincing is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

minc•ing  (min′sing), adj. 

1. (of the gait, speech, behavior, etc.) affectedly dainty, nice, or elegant.

• mince + -ing² 1520–30

minc′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

mincing / ˈmɪnsɪŋ/ adjective

1. (of a person) affectedly elegant in gait, manner, or speech

ˈmincingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

mince /mɪns/   v., minced, minc•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to chop into very small pieces:
   [~ + object] meat that has been minced.
2. to soften, esp. for the sake of politeness:
   [~ + object] He was angry and didn't mince his words.
3. to move with short, unnaturally dainty steps: [no object]
   He minced across the room.
   [~ + object]
   He minced his way across the room.

n. [uncountable]

4. mincemeat.

minc•ing, adj.: 

short, mincing steps.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mince  (mins), v., minced, minc•ing, n. 
v.t. 

1. to cut or chop into very small pieces.
2. to soften, moderate, or weaken (one's words), esp. for the sake of decorum or courtesy.
3. to perform or utter with affected elegance.
4. to subdivide minutely, as land or a topic for study.

v.i. 

5. to walk or move with short, affectedly dainty steps.
6. [Archaic.] to act or speak with affected elegance.
7. not mince words or matters, to speak directly and frankly;
   be blunt or outspoken:
   He was angry and didn't mince words.

n. 

8. something cut up very small;
   mincemeat.

• Vulgar Latin *minūtiāre to mince; see minute²
• Middle French minc(i)er
• Middle English mincen 1350–1400

minc′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

mince / mɪns/ verb

1. (transitive) to chop, grind, or cut into very small pieces
2. (transitive) to soften or moderate, esp for the sake of convention or politeness: I didn't mince my words
3. (intransitive) to walk or speak in an affected dainty manner

noun

1. minced meat

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French mincier, from Vulgar Latin minūtiāre (unattested), from Late Latin minūtia smallness; see minutiae