mims: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (as a generic term). Medium-High (as a brand reference).Informal, colloquial. The generic use 'mims' is largely regional (UK).
Quick answer
What does “mims” mean?
A small, sweet, fizzy, cube-shaped confectionery, often fruit-flavoured.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, sweet, fizzy, cube-shaped confectionery, often fruit-flavoured.
A brand name (M&M's) for small, button-shaped, chocolate sweets with a coloured sugar shell, commonly used generically (especially in the UK) to refer to small, colourful candies. Also used in the plural 'mimsy' to describe something overly delicate or prim (from Lewis Carroll's 'Jabberwocky').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'mims' is a recognized, though not universal, colloquial shortening for M&M's. In the US, the brand name 'M&M's' is almost never shortened to 'mims'; the term is essentially unused. The adjective 'mimsy' is known in both varieties but is literary/archaic.
Connotations
UK: Informal, childish, nostalgic. US: The word 'mims' has no standard connotation. 'Mimsy' connotes Victorian-era primness or ineffectuality.
Frequency
'Mims' as candy is very low frequency in the US, moderate in certain UK regions/sociolects. 'Mimsy' is very low frequency in both.
Grammar
How to Use “mims” in a Sentence
[Subject] eats/has/shared some mims.[Determiner] + mims + [Verb] (e.g., The mims melted).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mims” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not standard]
American English
- [Not standard]
adverb
British English
- [Not standard]
American English
- [Not standard]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard for 'mims'. For 'mimsy': 'She gave a mimsy little wave.']
American English
- [Not standard for 'mims'. For 'mimsy': 'His mimsy manners were out of place.']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except in literary analysis of Carroll's work for 'mimsy'.
Everyday
Used informally, especially by children or parents in the UK: 'Do you want some mims?'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mims”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mims”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mims”
- Using 'mims' in formal writing. Using 'mims' in the US expecting comprehension. Treating 'mims' as a singular noun (it is inherently plural: 'a mim' is very rare/non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but its status is complex. It is a recognized colloquial shortening of the trademark 'M&M's' in UK English. It is also the plural form of the poetic adjective 'mimsy'.
No, it is not standard. The term is almost exclusively used in the plural 'mims', similar to 'sweets' or 'candies'.
In UK generic use, both can refer to small, round, sugar-shelled chocolates. Specifically, 'Mims' refers to M&M's (which have a printed 'm'), while 'Smarties' are a different brand with letters printed on them and are slightly larger.
It was coined by Lewis Carroll in his 1871 poem 'Jabberwocky' as a blend of 'miserable' and 'flimsy'. It means 'prim, underwhelming, and frail'.
A small, sweet, fizzy, cube-shaped confectionery, often fruit-flavoured.
Mims is usually informal, colloquial. the generic use 'mims' is largely regional (uk). in register.
Mims: in British English it is pronounced /mɪmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None for 'mims'. For 'mimsy': 'All mimsy were the borogoves' (from 'Jabberwocky').]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Mims are small and sweet, like the 'm' sound itself - quick, minimal, and memorable.
Conceptual Metaphor
COLOUR IS ATTRACTION (vibrant mims attract attention). SMALLNESS IS CUTENESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'mims' MOST likely to be understood?