What does intermingling mean?
Intermingling means mixing or becoming mixed so that separate elements lose some of their distinctness. The word can describe tangible things, such as colours, scents, animals, or crowds, as well as intangible ones, such as languages, traditions, memories, and musical styles. It may be used transitively, as in “the council intermingled public and private interests,” or intransitively, as when “the two melodies intermingle.” The term often conveys a gradual blending rather than a sudden or complete merger. Its tone is generally neutral, though it can sound literary, and it is sometimes used when the context involves relationships between different peoples or cultures. Intermingling is especially useful for describing encounters in which boundaries become less distinct without necessarily disappearing altogether. It thus conveys both the process of combination and the resulting close association.
To mix or become mixed together, especially so that the separate elements lose some of their distinctness.
"The two traditions intermingled to create a distinctive cultural style."
The verb can be transitive or intransitive and is common in both literal and figurative contexts.
The action or process of mixing or becoming mixed together.
"The intermingling of the two melodies gave the composition an unusual depth."
The noun is less common than the verb and is especially frequent in formal or literary contexts.
The plural is grammatically regular but uncommon in ordinary use.
"Repeated interminglings of the traditions produced a distinctive new form."
Intermingling is where separate things meet and become something harder to pull apart: notes, cultures, species, or even the scents of a summer evening.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intermingling come from?
Intermingling combines the Latin-derived prefix inter-, meaning “between” or “among,” with mingle, meaning “to mix.” The element mingle comes from Old English mengan, an old verb for mixing, and has relatives in other Germanic languages, including Old Norse menga and German mengen. The prefixed form intermingle is a later English formation built on these older elements.
Related word forms
How intermingling is actually used
The word is neutral in meaning but often carries a slightly literary or elevated tone. It may suggest either a harmonious combination or a blurring of boundaries, depending on context.