What does minced mean?
Minced is most commonly used as an adjective for food that has been finely chopped or ground, often nearly to a paste. Minced meat, minced onions, and minced garlic are everyday expressions in British and American English, and the preparation is especially associated with dishes such as meatloaf, spaghetti bolognese, and stuffed peppers. The word can also be the past tense and past participle of the verb mince, meaning to cut food into very small pieces. A separate, chiefly British informal sense refers to speaking in an affected, excessively precise, or exaggerated manner, as in a minced accent. Although the culinary sense is neutral and widespread, this figurative use commonly carries criticism or ridicule. In general, minced describes a fine texture produced by chopping or grinding, distinguishing it from coarsely chopped, diced, sliced, or left-whole food.
Finely chopped, ground, or cut into very small pieces.
"The recipe calls for two pounds of minced beef."
The culinary sense is standard in British and American English.
The past tense and past participle of mince: to cut food into very small pieces.
"She minced the garlic and added it to the pan."
In chiefly British informal use, minced can also mean spoken in an affectedly precise or exaggerated manner.
A dish can be tender while its texture is anything but: tender minced beef, for example, is valued for being finely chopped rather than left in large pieces.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does minced come from?
The culinary sense of minced comes through the English word mince, which is borrowed from French mincer, meaning to cut into small pieces. English developed both the verb mince and the participial adjective minced for food prepared in this way. Related English forms include mincemeat, while mince also acquired the figurative sense of speaking in an affected or exaggerated manner.
Related word forms
How minced is actually used
In culinary contexts, minced is standard in both British and American English. The sense meaning to speak in an affected or exaggerated manner is chiefly British, informal, and often derogatory, especially in expressions such as a minced accent.
Easily confused with minced
Minced means cut into very small pieces, especially food, whereas mended means repaired after being damaged or broken.