What does mintier mean?
“Mintier” is the comparative form of the adjective “minty,” meaning that something has a stronger or more noticeable mint flavour, aroma, or cooling effect. The word is especially associated with the fresh sensation of mint and is commonly used for toothpaste, chewing gum, drinks, confectionery, sauces, and breath fresheners. It can also describe a more pleasant, refreshing quality indirectly associated with mint. Because it explicitly compares two qualities, “mintier” normally requires a standard against which the mintiness is being judged, though this comparison is often left implicit. The word is fairly uncommon in formal prose but readily understood in conversation, food and product descriptions, and advertising. Its simple comparative ending, “-ier,” distinguishes it from the more general “minty,” and the prefix “more” can usually be used instead without changing the meaning.
adjectiveHaving a stronger or more pronounced mint flavour, aroma, or cooling quality.
- Having more of the distinctive flavour, aroma, or cooling sensation associated with mint.
"The toothpaste left my breath feeling mintier than before."
"She preferred the mintier toothpaste because it made her mouth feel especially fresh."
"The chef added a mintier sauce to the lamb."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of mintier
The word is formed from “mint,” the aromatic herb used for flavouring and freshening, by adding the adjective-forming suffix “-y” and then the comparative suffix “-er.” “Mint” entered English through Old English from Latin “mentha,” which was borrowed from Greek. Familiar words such as “peppermint,” “spearmint,” and “menthol” share this ancient Mediterranean source.
Related word forms
How mintier is actually used
This is the comparative form of “minty” and is less common in formal writing than in everyday speech and advertising. It is often used predicatively, as in “the taste seemed mintier.”