What does mincing mean?
“Mincing” most commonly means cutting food into very small pieces with a knife, as in mincing garlic or chopping onions for a sauce. The verb can also describe walking or moving in short, affected steps, often suggesting a dainty, fussy, or self-conscious manner. In the culinary sense, the word emphasizes precision and fineness rather than simply cutting or chopping. In its more literary sense, it conveys a somewhat exaggerated way of moving, usually with a hint of criticism or amusement. Because it can describe both careful preparation and conspicuously delicate movement, “mincing” is useful when a description needs to make size, precision, or affected manner unmistakable.
To cut food into very small pieces.
"Finely mince the shallots before adding them to the pan."
Common in recipes and food preparation; “chop” is a more general alternative, while “mince” often implies especially small pieces.
To walk or move with short, affected steps.
"He minced across the room, unwilling to disturb anyone."
This sense is literary and usually carries a mildly critical or amused tone.
From finely chopping food to a famously tiptoeing walk, “mincing” captures movement that is small, precise, or conspicuously affected.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mincing come from?
“Mincing” comes from the verb “mince,” which entered English through Old French “mince,” a word associated with finely cut or small pieces. The French word is generally traced to Latin “minutus,” meaning “small” or “cut into small pieces,” although the precise medieval development involved intermediate forms. The related English noun “mincemeat” and the compound “mincer” developed from the same culinary root.
Related word forms
How mincing is actually used
In culinary contexts, “mincing” is straightforward and neutral. When describing a person’s gait, it can suggest affectedness, fussiness, or excessive refinement, and is often descriptive rather than neutral.
Easily confused with mincing
“Mince” means to cut food into very small pieces, whereas “mincing” is the present participle of that verb and can also describe a way of walking with short, affected steps.