What does mixture mean?
A mixture is a combination of different substances, qualities, emotions, or kinds of people. The components may remain individually recognizable, as in a mixture of sand and sugar, or they may blend into a unified result, as in a carefully mixed sauce. The word is useful because it applies both literally and figuratively: it can describe food, chemicals, sounds, styles, and emotional states. In chemistry, a mixture differs from a compound because its ingredients are not chemically joined in fixed proportions. In everyday use, “a mixture of” is a flexible and neutral expression that often introduces a varied combination, such as a mixture of excitement and anxiety. The related verb form is uncommon, while the plural “mixtures” is standard when referring to separate combined substances or arrangements.
nounA combination of two or more distinct substances, qualities, or kinds of things, especially one in which the components remain recognizable rather than forming a uniform whole. The word can also refer to the act of mixing.
- A combination of two or more distinct substances or components.
- A combination of qualities, emotions, characteristics, or kinds of people.
- The act or process of mixing.
"The sauce was a delicious mixture of honey, mustard, and herbs."
"The teacher added a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg to the tea."
"Her reaction was a mixture of surprise, relief, and amusement."
Use the plural when referring to several separate combinations or combined substances.
"The laboratory tested several mixtures of metals and acids."
In science, a mixture keeps its ingredients chemically separate; in everyday life, it simply means a striking mix of people, feelings, styles, or substances.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mixture come from?
The English noun comes from Latin mixtura, a word associated with mixing and related to miscere, “to mix.” It entered English through Old French and became common in contexts referring to blended substances and figurative combinations. The root also underlies related words such as mix and miscellaneous, while the historical noun mixtion refers to a mixture or act of mixing.
Related word forms
How mixture is actually used
The word is neutral in register and can describe both literal combinations and figurative blends. In technical contexts, especially chemistry, it refers to substances that are combined without becoming chemically bonded.
Easily confused with mixture
A mixture is a combination that may retain distinguishable components, whereas a blend often suggests a more integrated or harmonious combination.