English Explanatory Dictionary

mince words

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To restrain oneself when speaking by withholding some comments or using euphemisms in order to be polite, tactful, etc.

Pronunciation

mĭns′ wûrdz′ /ˌmɪns ˈwɜːdz/ En-au-mince words.ogg /ˌmɪns ˈwɜɹdz/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-mince words.wav /ˌməns ˈwøːdz/ /ˌmɪns ˈwʌɹdz/ /ˌmɪns ˈwəːʳɖz/

Word forms

mince words minces words mincing words minced words mince one's words mince matters

Etymology

From mince (“to say or utter vaguely (not directly or frankly)”, transitive figurative verb) + words. First attested in the mid-1500s.

Synonyms

mince matters pull punches

Related words

minced oath mince matters word-mincer make no bones about weigh one's words
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