What does mint mean?
Mint is a versatile English word with meanings connected by long-standing usage rather than by a single origin. As a noun, it most often names an aromatic herb whose leaves impart a cool, fresh flavour to tea, desserts, sweets, and savoury dishes. A mint may also mean a confectionery flavoured with the herb. In a second major sense, a mint is a factory or institution that manufactures coins and tokens. The related verb means to produce such currency, while the adjective mint describes something in excellent, unspoiled condition, as in “a coin in mint condition.” Mint can also refer to a vivid shade of green. These meanings are firmly established in both British and American English. The word is useful because it moves easily between the worlds of food, money, condition, and colour, often conveying freshness, cleanliness, value, or careful preservation.
An aromatic herb with green leaves used to flavour food, drinks, and sweets; also a sweet or confectionery made with mint flavouring, or a place where coins are manufactured.
"Fresh mint makes this cold drink especially refreshing."
When the coin-making meaning is intended, the context is usually explicit. The unqualified plant name commonly refers to mint in general rather than to one botanically precise species.
To manufacture coins or tokens, especially as an official minting authority.
"The government plans to mint a limited-edition coin to mark the anniversary."
This verb is usually used with coins, currency, or tokens.
In excellent, fresh, or unspoiled condition; alternatively, bright or appealing in colour.
"The collector paid a premium for the coin because it was in mint condition."
The condition sense is chiefly used in the expression “mint condition.” The colour sense is informal and often appears as “mint green”.
The plural refers to individual plants, sweets, coins, or minting establishments, depending on context.
"Several delicate mints grew along the edge of the garden."
Mint links the fresh green herb to the shining coins in your pocket: it names both a cooling flavour and the workshop where money is struck.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mint come from?
The plant name entered English through Old French menthe, from Latin mentha, which was borrowed from Greek minthē. English also developed mint in the separate monetary sense from Old English mynt, related to Latin monēta, a word that also underlies money and monetary. The plant and monetary uses therefore have different historical origins, despite their convergence in modern English.
Related word forms
How mint is actually used
As an adjective, mint is especially common in the expression “in mint condition.” The colour sense is informal and typically appears in phrases such as “mint green.” In British and American English, mint also commonly means the herb or its flavour, although the precise plant is sometimes identified as peppermint or spearmint.
Easily confused with mint
Mint is pronounced /mɪnt/, while mince is pronounced /mɪns/ and means to cut food into very small pieces.