1
: combining characteristics of more than one kind
specifically : combining features of two or more systems of government
a mixed constitution
2
: made up of or involving individuals or items of more than one kind: such as
a
: made up of or involving persons differing in race (see race entry 1 sense 1a), national origin, religion, or class
a mixed audience
a mixed family/household
b
: made up of or involving individuals of more than one sex
mixed company
3
: including or accompanied by inconsistent, incompatible, or contrary elements
mixed emotions
received mixed reviews
a mixed blessing
4
a
: deriving from two or more races (see race entry 1 sense 1a)
people of mixed race
her mixed ancestry
b
: deriving from two or more breeds
a stallion of mixed blood

Examples of mixed in a Sentence

a can of mixed nuts We ate salads of mixed greens. They live in a mixed neighborhood. She's of mixed African and European ancestry. people of mixed racial origin His decision got a mixed reaction from the family. The experiment got mixed results.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Spokespeople for the state's two largest electric utilities — Arizona Public Service Co. and Salt River Project — suggested their respective utilities remained committed to mixed energy portfolios to meet future power needs. Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025 Coach Xabi Alonso’s press conference and the mixed zone interview session with players Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde and Jacobo Ramón were initially scheduled for 7:30 and 7:45 pm ET respectively, at MetLife Stadium. Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 9 July 2025 In overseas markets, stock indexes were broadly higher in Europe after a mixed finish in Asia. Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025 The Trump administration continued to send Americans mixed signals on who is exempt from its massive effort to remove millions of undocumented immigrants out of the country. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mixed

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mixte

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mixed was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mixed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mixed. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

mixed

adjective
1
a
: made of mingled or blended elements
mixed nuts
b
: combining features of more than one kind
a mixed economy
2
a
: involving persons differing in race, national origin, or religion
a mixed marriage
b
: made up of or involving individuals of both sexes
mixed company
a mixed chorus
3
: including or accompanied by different or opposing elements
a mixed blessing
a mixed reaction
4
: resulting from the crossing or breeding of individuals of different races or breeds
a stallion of mixed blood

Medical Definition

mixed

adjective
1
: combining features or exhibiting symptoms of more than one condition or disease
a mixed tumor
2
: producing more than one kind of secretion
mixed salivary glands

More from Merriam-Webster on mixed

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