mix
mix — verb
1. to put different solids or liquids into the same container and stir them until t
to put different solids or liquids into the same container and stir them until they form a single combined material
Takeshi mixed the flour with eggs and sugar to make a cake.
mix + noun + with + noun
Oil and water do not mix, no matter how hard you stir them.
intransitive: substances that do not mix
Elena mixed the blue paint with a little white to get a lighter colour.
mix + colour + with + colour
Pour the cream into the bowl and mix it slowly with a wooden spoon.
The ingredients need to be mixed together before you add the water.
passive: be mixed together
- mix with
- mix together
- mix in
- mix into
- mix well
- mix thoroughly
- mix gently
- mix A and B
- separate
the opposite action of dividing mixed substances back into their parts
Grammar Patterns
mix + noun + with + noun
mix + noun + and + noun
mix + together
mix + in/into
Usage Note
This sense can be used transitively (you mix something) or intransitively (two things mix). The pattern 'mix A with B' is the most common way to name both substances.
Common Mistakes
2. to handle several different tasks, interests, or characteristics all within one
to handle several different tasks, interests, or characteristics all within one period
Christopher likes to mix business with pleasure when he travels for work.
mix business with pleasure
The film mixes comedy and drama in a way that keeps the audience engaged.
mix + genre + and + genre
Tanvi struggles to mix her nursing job with her university studies.
mix + responsibility + with + another responsibility
A good party mixes music, food, and interesting guests to create a lively atmosphere.
- mix business with pleasure
- mix work and play
- mix comedy and drama
- mix old and new
- separate
to keep different activities or qualities apart from each other
Grammar Patterns
mix + noun + and + noun
mix + noun + with + noun
Usage Note
Often used with abstract nouns that represent different areas of life (work/pleasure, study/family). The pattern 'mix A with B' is the most typical structure.
3. to talk and spend time with other people, especially in social situations where
to talk and spend time with other people, especially in social situations where you do not know everyone well
Shanti is shy and finds it difficult to mix with people she does not know.
mix with + people (social group)
Tuan mixed easily with the other guests at the wedding party.
mix easily / mix well (adverb pattern)
The conference gave Hassan a chance to mix with other scientists from around the world.
mix with + professionals (networking context)
At the new school, the children mix together during lunch and after class.
- mix with
- mix well
- mix easily
- mix freely
- avoid
to stay away from people rather than talking to them
Grammar Patterns
mix + with + people (group)
mix + well
Usage Note
Typically intransitive. When you 'mix' in this sense, you are being social, not just physically present. 'Mix well' is a common fixed phrase meaning someone is good at talking to new people.
Common Mistakes
4. to control and combine the different recorded sounds and voices in a piece of mu
to control and combine the different recorded sounds and voices in a piece of music to produce the final version that people hear
Esme spent three days in the studio mixing the tracks for her new album.
mix + tracks / album (music production)
A sound engineer mixes the vocals, drums, and guitar together to create a balanced song.
Gabriel learned how to mix live recordings while studying music production at college.
mix + live recordings
The band hired a professional to mix their demo before sending it to record labels.
- mix tracks
- mix an album
- mix a song
- mix vocals
- mix live
Grammar Patterns
mix + noun (track / recording / album)
mix + together (sounds / tracks)
Usage Note
This is a technical term in music production. It is different from the general sense (verb/1) because it specifically refers to adjusting volume levels, adding effects, and balancing sounds in a recording.
5. used especially in negative sentences to say that two different things work badl
used especially in negative sentences to say that two different things work badly together or cause problems when they are combined
Karim quickly learned that work and family life do not always mix well.
do not mix well (common negative pattern)
Some strong cleaning chemicals should never be mixed with bleach.
should never be mixed with (warning)
Nellie believes that serious study and loud music simply do not mix.
Alcohol and driving do not mix at all — it is dangerous and illegal.
common safety warning: alcohol and driving do not mix
- do/does not mix
- don't mix
- mixed with
- mix well
- never mix
- go together
informal; used for things that suit each other ('These colours go together well')
- match
focuses on visual or stylistic suitability more than functional compatibility
- fit
suggests a good combination in a broader range of contexts
- clash
when things do not match or are in strong opposition ('Their personalities clashed')
Grammar Patterns
do/does not mix
don't mix
mix well with
Usage Note
This sense is almost always used in negative contexts (do not mix, cannot be mixed) or with 'well'. In the affirmative, speakers typically use different verbs such as 'work together' or 'go together'.
Common Mistakes
mix in
phrasal verbTo add one thing to another and combine them.
Mix in the chocolate chips slowly until the batter is smooth.
Maya mixed in some nuts with the cookie dough.
mix into
phrasal verbTo combine one substance with another by stirring or blending.
Carefully mix the blue paint into the white base.
Brian mixed the sugar into the coffee until it dissolved.
mix to
phrasal verbTo stir or blend ingredients until they reach a certain consistency.
Mix the flour and water to a smooth paste.
Sara mixed the ingredients to a thick dough.
mix up
phrasal verbTo confuse two or more things or people with each other.
I often mix up the twins because they look so alike.
Diego mixed up the dates and missed the appointment.
mix and match
idiomto choose different items and combine them in various ways to create a desired result, especially with clothes or furniture
The store sells separate pieces so customers can mix and match their own furniture sets.
Ava likes to mix and match tops and skirts to create different outfits every day.
to become involved in something, usually something illegal or dishonest
The young actor got mixed up in a financial scandal that ruined his career.
The police questioned several people who were mixed up in the robbery.
To start spending time with people who have a bad influence.
Sara got mixed up with a group of troublemakers at school.
Min was mixed up with some criminals and ended up in trouble.
To start an argument or fight with someone.
Diego tried to mix it with the bigger kids, but they ignored him.
Why do you always mix it with your brother over small things?
mix it up
idiomTo change the way you do something to make it more interesting.
The chef decided to mix it up by adding new spices to the recipe.
Aiden mixed it up and took a different route to work today.
mix — noun
1. a combination of two or more different things, people, or qualities that exist t
a combination of two or more different things, people, or qualities that exist together
The city has an interesting mix of modern buildings and old temples.
a mix of + contrasting nouns
Alessia's music is a mix of jazz, pop, and traditional folk songs.
a mix of + genres
The school has a good mix of students from different cultural backgrounds.
A mix of old and new furniture gave the apartment a warm and personal feel.
a mix of old and new (fixed expression)
The team succeeded thanks to a good mix of experience and fresh ideas.
- a mix of
- good mix
- interesting mix
- perfect mix
- mix of old and new
- mix of cultures
- mix of styles
- mixture
very similar; 'mixture' is more common for physical substances, while 'mix' can be used for abstract ideas
- combination
more general than 'mix'; focuses on the fact that things are brought together
- blend
suggests a smooth and harmonious combination, especially of flavours or characteristics
Grammar Patterns
a mix of + noun (plural or uncountable)
Usage Note
Countable but almost always singular. The structure 'a mix of [plural noun]' is the most common pattern. Do not confuse with 'mixture', which also means a combination but is more often used for physical substances.
Common Mistakes
2. a dry powder or bag of cooking ingredients bought from a shop, to which you add
a dry powder or bag of cooking ingredients bought from a shop, to which you add a wet ingredient like milk or water before cooking or drinking
Nellie bought a packet of pancake mix and added milk to make breakfast.
pancake mix (common compound)
The cake mix needs only water and two eggs before you bake it.
cake mix (common compound)
It is faster to use a soup mix than to make soup from fresh vegetables.
soup mix (common compound)
Gluten-free bread mix is now available in most supermarkets.
- cake mix
- pancake mix
- soup mix
- bread mix
- brownie mix
- muffin mix
- instant mix
- powder
refers only to the physical form, not the product; 'milk powder' is not the same as 'milk mix'
Grammar Patterns
___ mix (e.g. cake mix, soup mix)
Usage Note
Often used as part of a compound noun: 'cake mix', 'pancake mix', 'soup mix', 'bread mix'. The word before 'mix' tells you what food the powder will become after adding liquid and cooking.
3. an alternate form of a song that has been reworked by adjusting its sound levels
an alternate form of a song that has been reworked by adjusting its sound levels, adding new effects, or changing its rhythm
The dance mix of the song became more popular than the original version.
dance mix (common compound in music)
The DJ released a special mix of the track for the summer festival.
The radio mix is shorter and has a simpler beat than the original.
radio mix (common compound)
Listeners voted for their favourite mix of the song on the music website.
- dance mix
- radio mix
- club mix
- original mix
- extended mix
- acoustic mix
- remix
Grammar Patterns
___ mix (dance mix, radio mix)
remix
Usage Note
Common compounds include 'dance mix', 'radio mix', 'club mix', and 'acoustic mix'. 'Remix' (one word) is the more common term for a fully reworked version of a song.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words describe putting substances together, but they differ in method and result. 'Mix' is the most general word — you can mix flour and water with a spoon, or mix music tracks on a computer. 'Blend' suggests a smooth, uniform result where individual ingredients become one, like blending fruit into a smoothie. 'Stir' focuses on the physical action of moving a spoon or tool around in a container — you can stir coffee without fully mixing anything new into it. 'Combine' is more formal and emphasizes the fact that two or more things come together, as in 'combine the dry ingredients before adding milk'. 'Beat' is a quick, vigorous motion used for liquids and eggs, often to add air. In cooking, you might beat eggs, then mix them with flour, then stir the batter gently. Choose 'mix' for everyday use, 'blend' for smooth results, and 'combine' for formal or written instructions.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'mix' comes from the Latin 'miscēre', meaning 'to mix, blend, or mingle'. It entered English through Old French 'mystre' and later 'mixte', and settled into its modern form 'mix' in the 1500s. The sense of 'socialize' developed in the 1800s, and the music-recording meaning appeared in the early 1900s as recording technology advanced.