mitre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Religious, Technical (Carpentry/Woodworking)
Quick answer
What does “mitre” mean?
A tall, pointed hat worn by bishops and abbots during certain ceremonies as a symbol of office.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tall, pointed hat worn by bishops and abbots during certain ceremonies as a symbol of office.
1. A joint made by two pieces of wood or other material at an angle, where each piece is cut to a 45-degree angle to form a right angle. 2. A headdress signifying authority. 3. The office or dignity of a bishop.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK uses 'mitre' for all senses. US uses 'miter' for all senses. The carpentry sense is more common in general use in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, the primary connotation is technical (carpentry) or highly formal/religious (headdress).
Frequency
Low-frequency word in everyday language. More likely encountered in technical manuals (DIY, woodworking) or historical/religious texts.
Grammar
How to Use “mitre” in a Sentence
to cut/make a mitre (in/on something)to wear a mitreto fit the mitres togetherVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mitre” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You need to mitre the ends of the skirting board before fitting them.
- The craftsman mitred the frame corners expertly.
American English
- You need to miter the ends of the baseboard before fitting them.
- He mitered the corners for a clean look.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- A mitre saw is essential for accurate angled cuts.
- The mitre joint came apart under pressure.
American English
- A miter saw is essential for accurate angled cuts.
- Check the miter joint for gaps.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history of costume, and material culture papers.
Everyday
Rare, except in specific contexts like DIY/woodworking discussions.
Technical
Standard term in carpentry, joinery, woodworking, and picture framing for a type of corner joint.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mitre”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mitre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mitre”
- Spelling: 'miter' (US) vs 'mitre' (UK).
- Pronunciation: Mispronouncing as /ˈmɪtə/ (like 'mitter') instead of /ˈmaɪtə/.
- Using it as a general term for any hat or joint.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Mitre' is the standard British English spelling. 'Miter' is the standard American English spelling.
In contemporary usage, the most common reference is to the carpentry joint or the tool (mitre saw) used to create it, rather than the religious headdress.
It is pronounced /ˈmaɪ.tə(r)/ (MY-tuh), rhyming with 'writer'. The first syllable sounds like 'my'.
Yes. As a verb, it means 'to join with a mitre joint' or 'to cut at a 45-degree angle' (e.g., 'to mitre the end of a plank').
A tall, pointed hat worn by bishops and abbots during certain ceremonies as a symbol of office.
Mitre is usually formal, religious, technical (carpentry/woodworking) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MITRE saw cutting a perfect angle, or a bishop's hat that rises to a point like a mountain peak (Mount MITRE).
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS HEIGHT (the tall bishop's mitre); PRECISION IS ANGULAR (the precise 45-degree cut of a mitre joint).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you *most likely* encounter the term 'mitre' in its technical sense?