minx: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 - Very Low Frequency (Literary/Archaic)Literary, Archaic, Dated, Humorous, Mildly Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “minx” mean?
A bold, flirtatious, or impudent young woman.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bold, flirtatious, or impudent young woman.
A playful or teasing person, typically female, who exhibits saucy, impertinent, or mischievous behaviour; historically, a term for a petulant or promiscuous woman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally archaic in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary contexts due to stronger tradition of 19th-century novel adaptations.
Connotations
In modern use, the British connotation may lean slightly more towards 'playful impudence', while American usage, being rarer, might interpret it as more directly synonymous with 'flirt' or 'hussy'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Virtually absent from contemporary spoken language and most written registers except for stylistic effect.
Grammar
How to Use “minx” in a Sentence
[be] a ~[call sb] a ~[treat sb like] a ~[that/you] ~!Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minx” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- Not used as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis of gender representation.
Everyday
Virtually never used seriously; possible as a jocular, affectionate reprimand, e.g., 'You little minx!'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minx”
- Using it to describe a man (exceptionally rare).
- Using it in modern formal writing.
- Overestimating its negative force; it's often mild and playful.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Today it is mostly archaic and used humorously or ironically. It can be mildly pejorative or affectionate depending on tone and context, but it is not a strong modern insult.
Almost never. 'Minx' is strongly gendered female. A similar term for a man might be 'rake', 'rogue', or 'scamp'.
Of uncertain origin, mid-16th century. Possibly from Low German 'minsk' (person), related to 'man', but its development to mean a pert woman is obscure.
Extremely rarely. Its primary residence is in historical fiction, period dialogue, or as a self-consciously old-fashioned/jocular term. It is not part of active, contemporary vocabulary.
A bold, flirtatious, or impudent young woman.
Minx is usually literary, archaic, dated, humorous, mildly pejorative in register.
Minx: in British English it is pronounced /mɪŋks/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪŋks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'minx'. Archaic: 'a minx in silks'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MINK (the animal) with an X. A mink coat is often seen as glamorous and sly; add an X for a kiss, suggesting flirtation. A 'minx' is a sly, flirtatious creature.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WOMAN IS A (PLAYFUL/UNRULY) ANIMAL. (Implied wildness, lack of domesticity). A BOLD WOMAN IS A SAUCY OBJECT (archaic 'piece').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'minx' be LEAST appropriate?