mink

noun

ˈmiŋk 

plural mink or minks

1

: soft fur or pelt of the mink varying in color from white to dark brown

2

: either of two slender-bodied semiaquatic carnivorous mammals (Neogale vison of North America and Mustela lutreola of Eurasia) of the weasel family that have partially webbed feet, a rather short bushy tail, and a soft thick coat

Illustration of mink

• mink 2

Examples of mink in a Sentence

a coat made of mink

women wearing expensive jewelry and minks

Recent Examples on the Web

At last, a show about retirees, with their mink coats and cha-cha lessons. —Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

Wispy hybrids, classic sets, 35mm minks, and more, lash extensions provided a semi-permanent alternative to strip lashes and mascara. —Cierra Black, Essence, 21 Oct. 2024

This includes mink oil on your couch or office chair. —Michael Y. Park, Architectural Digest, 1 Oct. 2024

Some are worried the mink seen in Port Washington will be taken away Some Facebook users asked for people to leave the mink alone to enjoy their natural lives down by the port and other places they may be seen. —Angelika Ytuarte, Journal Sentinel, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mink

noun

ˈmiŋk 

plural mink or minks

: either of two flesh-eating mammals that resemble the related weasels, have a slender body, partly webbed feet, and a somewhat bushy tail, and live near water

also : the soft normally dark brown fur of a mink