1
: combining characteristics of more than one kind
specifically : combining features of two or more systems of government
a mixed constitution
2
: made up of or involving individuals or items of more than one kind: such as
a
: made up of or involving persons differing in race (see race entry 1 sense 1a), national origin, religion, or class
a mixed audience
a mixed family/household
b
: made up of or involving individuals of more than one sex
mixed company
3
: including or accompanied by inconsistent, incompatible, or contrary elements
mixed emotions
received mixed reviews
a mixed blessing
4
a
: deriving from two or more races (see race entry 1 sense 1a)
people of mixed race
her mixed ancestry
b
: deriving from two or more breeds
a stallion of mixed blood

Examples of mixed in a Sentence

a can of mixed nuts We ate salads of mixed greens. They live in a mixed neighborhood. She's of mixed African and European ancestry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The early results have been mixed, with a 5-4 record that could easily have been 6-3. Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025 The return to repayment has been chaotic — marked by multiple false starts and mixed messages. Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 But the plan to block people using the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — SNAP — from buying soda is getting mixed reviews. Katia Riddle, NPR, 3 Apr. 2025 Though the film itself received mixed reviews, Kilmer’s committed performance as the self-destructive rocker who epitomized the psychedelic excesses of the 1960s was widely praised. Lindsey Bahr, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mixed

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mixte

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mixed was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mixed. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

1
a
: made of mingled or blended elements
mixed nuts
b
: combining features of more than one kind
a mixed economy
2
a
: involving persons differing in race, national origin, or religion
a mixed marriage
b
: made up of or involving individuals of both sexes
mixed company
a mixed chorus
3
: including or accompanied by different or opposing elements
a mixed blessing
a mixed reaction
4
: resulting from the crossing or breeding of individuals of different races or breeds
a stallion of mixed blood

Medical Definition

1
: combining features or exhibiting symptoms of more than one condition or disease
a mixed tumor
2
: producing more than one kind of secretion
mixed salivary glands

More from Merriam-Webster on mixed

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