Mint Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/mɪnt/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A popular herb, native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, known for its trifoliate leaves and its use in cooking, medicine, and as a flavoring agent.

Examples

The chef used fresh mint leaves to make the sauce.
Mint is a natural breath freshener and mouthwash.

Synonyms

Basil
Lavender

Antonyms

Bitter
Sour

Etymology

The word ‘mint’ comes from the Latin ‘mentha’, which refers to the herb mint. The Latin word is derived from the Greek ‘mintha’, which is itself derived from the name of a mythological nymph, Mintha.

Usage Notes

The word ‘mint’ can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the herb, while as a verb, it means to give a fresh and cooling feeling, as in “mint a refreshing drink on a hot day.”

Cultural References

Mint is a popular ingredient in many cuisines around the world, and is often used as a symbol of hospitality and friendship.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Some common idiomatic expressions or phrases that include the word ‘mint’ are “mint to be”, meaning destined to be together, and “mint new”, meaning newly made or created.

Related Words or Phrases

Basil
Lavender
Lemongrass

Collocations

“mint sauce”
“mint tea”
“mint chutney”

Frequency of Use

The word ‘mint’ is a moderately common word in modern language, and is used in many different contexts, including cooking, medicine, and as a symbol of hospitality and friendship.

Common Misspellings

Minnt
Minth