mitt: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral. The specific baseball sense is technical/sports register.
Quick answer
What does “mitt” mean?
A type of glove without separate coverings for each finger, typically extending to or just beyond the wrist, used for warmth, protection, or to enhance grip.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of glove without separate coverings for each finger, typically extending to or just beyond the wrist, used for warmth, protection, or to enhance grip.
A padded glove used by catchers in baseball; a protective glove for oven use; (slang) a hand, especially in the context of boxing or physical contact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'mitt' most commonly refers to an oven glove or a child's winter mitten. In American English, the baseball catcher's mitt is a primary, highly salient meaning.
Connotations
UK: Domestic, practical, childlike. US: Strong association with baseball, sports, and athleticism.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the cultural prominence of baseball.
Grammar
How to Use “mitt” in a Sentence
[Subject] + put on/take off + [mitt][Subject] + wear + [mitt] + [for activity][mitt] + made of + [material]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mitt” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He mitts the ball cleanly. (rare, possibly in informal cricket commentary)
American English
- The catcher mitts the pitch for the third out.
adjective
American English
- He showed off his mitt-hand coordination. (rare, compound adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in retail for product descriptions (e.g., 'kitchen mitts').
Academic
Very rare, except in historical or cultural studies of sport/fashion.
Everyday
Common for discussing kitchen safety, winter clothing, or baseball.
Technical
Specific to baseball equipment and, to a lesser extent, protective industrial wear.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mitt”
- Using 'mitt' for any glove (e.g., 'driving mitt' is incorrect; use 'glove').
- Misspelling as 'mit' (correct spelling has double 't').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A mitt encloses all fingers together in one compartment, while a glove has separate sheaths for each finger.
No, it is generally informal or neutral. Specific terms like 'catcher's mitt' are standard in technical sports contexts.
Yes, but rarely and almost exclusively in baseball contexts (e.g., 'to mitt a ball' means to catch it with a mitt).
Because of the cultural prevalence of baseball, where 'mitt' is a core piece of equipment, making the word more frequent in media and everyday speech.
A type of glove without separate coverings for each finger, typically extending to or just beyond the wrist, used for warmth, protection, or to enhance grip.
Mitt: in British English it is pronounced /mɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Get your mitts off (something)! (slang: stop touching/taking)”
- “Tip your mitt (baseball slang: reveal your intentions)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MITTens keep your fingers together In The cold. A baseball MITT Mitts the ball.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAND IS A CONTAINER / PROTECTION IS A COVERING (e.g., 'slipped into his mitt', 'protected by a mitt').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'mitt' LEAST likely to be used?