mincer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral, with informal use for the "person" meaning
Quick answer
What does “mincer” mean?
A kitchen appliance or tool for cutting food, especially meat, into very small pieces or a fine texture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A kitchen appliance or tool for cutting food, especially meat, into very small pieces or a fine texture.
1) A person who operates or works with a mincing machine. 2) (informal, UK) A person who speaks or behaves in an affectedly dainty or prim way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'mincer' is the standard term for the kitchen appliance. In the US, the equivalent appliance is more commonly called a 'meat grinder'.
Connotations
UK: Utilitarian kitchen tool. US: Less common term; 'meat grinder' is dominant, making 'mincer' sound somewhat British.
Frequency
Much more frequent in UK English than in US English.
Grammar
How to Use “mincer” in a Sentence
[Verb] + the + mincer: 'attach/use/clean/feed into the mincer'[Noun] + mincer: 'meat/kitchen/hand mincer'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mincer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to mincer the beef for the cottage pie herself.
- You'll need to mincer those onions very finely for the recipe.
American English
- We need to grind this meat. Do we mincer it or use the food processor?
- (Less common) Can you mincer the chicken for the burgers?
adverb
British English
- (Not standard) He spoke mincerly, with exaggerated precision. (Nonce word, illustrates informal 'person' meaning)
- The meat was chopped mincer-small.
American English
- (Not standard) The texture was unappealing, ground almost mincer-fine.
- The machine processed the vegetables mincer-quick.
adjective
British English
- (Not standard as adjective; derived from verb 'mince') She had a mincer-like attachment for her stand mixer.
- The mincer blade needs sharpening.
American English
- The mincer function on this machine is its best feature.
- (Rare) It's a mincer-grinder combo appliance.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing/sales of kitchen appliances.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical, sociological, or design texts about domestic technology.
Everyday
Common in UK domestic contexts when discussing food preparation.
Technical
Used in appliance specifications and cooking instructions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mincer”
- Confusing 'mincer' (noun) with 'to mince' (verb).
- Using 'mincer' in US contexts where 'meat grinder' is expected.
- Spelling as 'mincer' vs. 'mincer' (correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A mincer/meat grinder typically forces food through a plate with small holes to create strands or a paste. A food processor uses a rotating blade to chop and mix, resulting in a different texture.
Yes, but it is informal and somewhat dated, primarily in UK English. It can mean a person who operates a mincing machine, or more figuratively, someone who speaks or acts in an affectedly delicate or prim manner (e.g., 'Don't be such a mincer!').
The verb is 'to mince', meaning to cut or grind into very small pieces. The appliance (mincer) performs this action.
Because the standard and far more common term for this appliance in American English is 'meat grinder' or simply 'grinder'. 'Mincer' is recognized but strongly associated with UK usage.
A kitchen appliance or tool for cutting food, especially meat, into very small pieces or a fine texture.
Mincer is usually neutral, with informal use for the "person" meaning in register.
Mincer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɪnsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɪnsər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[UK informal, dated] Put through the mincer: To subject someone to a severe ordeal or critical examination.”
- “Run it through the mincer: To process something thoroughly, often information.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MINI-CERemony where you ceremoniously make food MINI (small). A mincer makes things mini.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY/MIND IS A MACHINE (for the informal sense: 'He put me through the mincer').
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most commonly used in the United States for the appliance called a 'mincer' in the UK?