mince

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thin, narrow, slender, slim, slender
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/mɛ̃s/
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Falling toward the smaller or milder end of a scale.
Practice using mince in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • C'est une bien mince récompense pour tant d'efforts.
    That is a very meager reward for so much effort.
  • Leur avance reste mince avant le dernier match.
    Their lead remains narrow before the final match.
  • Le danseur avait une taille mince et souple.
    The dancer had a slender, flexible waist.
  • Elle est naturellement mince sans suivre de régime.
    She is naturally slim without dieting.
  • Une mince couche de glace couvrait la route.
    A thin layer of ice covered the road.

Similar words

frêle
insignifiant
infime
grêle
fluet
gracile
purée
filiforme
maigre
délié

Meanings

Thin or narrow

adjective
physical
neutral
Having little thickness or width compared with what is usual.

Examples

  • Le mur est si mince qu'on entend les voisins.
    The wall is so thin that we can hear the neighbors.
  • Coupe les pommes en tranches minces.
    Cut the apples into thin slices.
  • Un mince rayon de soleil passait sous le rideau.
    A narrow ray of sunlight came through under the curtain.
  • Elle portait une veste trop mince pour l'hiver.
    She was wearing a jacket that was too thin for winter.
  • Une mince couche de glace couvrait la route.
    A thin layer of ice covered the road.

Similar words

fin
étroit
ténu
filiforme
grêle
délié

Slim in build

adjective
appearance
neutral
Having a slender body or a narrow, graceful figure.

Examples

  • Il est grand et mince, comme son père.
    He is tall and slim, like his father.
  • Cette coupe convient bien aux silhouettes minces.
    This cut suits slim figures well.
  • Après sa maladie, elle paraissait très mince.
    After her illness, she looked very thin.
  • Le danseur avait une taille mince et souple.
    The dancer had a slender, flexible waist.
  • Elle est naturellement mince sans suivre de régime.
    She is naturally slim without dieting.

Similar words

svelte
élancé
fluet
gracile
menu
frêle

Slight or insufficient

adjective
quantity
neutral
Small in amount, value, importance, or likelihood, often implying that it is barely adequate.

Examples

  • Les chances de succès sont minces.
    The chances of success are slim.
  • Le rapport repose sur de minces preuves.
    The report is based on scant evidence.
  • C'est une bien mince récompense pour tant d'efforts.
    That is a very meager reward for so much effort.
  • Le magasin a réalisé un mince bénéfice ce mois-ci.
    The shop made a small profit this month.
  • Leur avance reste mince avant le dernier match.
    Their lead remains narrow before the final match.

Similar words

faible
maigre
modeste
insignifiant
infime
médiocre

Mild emotional exclamation

interjection
communication
informal
A mild familiar exclamation showing surprise, admiration, disappointment, or annoyance, often used instead of a stronger swear word.

Examples

  • Mince ! J'ai oublié mes clés.
    Darn! I forgot my keys.
  • Mince, tu as vraiment gagné ?
    Wow, did you really win?
  • Mince alors, quelle belle vue !
    Wow, what a beautiful view!
  • Oh mince, le magasin vient de fermer.
    Oh darn, the shop has just closed.
  • Mince ! Je ne pensais pas te voir ici.
    Wow! I didn't expect to see you here.

Similar words

zut
flûte
purée
sapristi

Etymology

From Old French mince, related to the former verb mincier 'to cut into small pieces', ultimately from popular Latin minutiare, derived from minutus 'small'.

FAQ

What does mince mean in French?

It usually means thin or slim, can mean slight or scant, and informally works as a mild exclamation such as darn or wow.

Is mince masculine or feminine?

The adjective has the same singular spelling for both genders: un homme mince and une femme mince.

What is the plural of mince?

The plural is minces for both masculine and feminine nouns.

What does mince ! express?

Depending on tone, mince ! can express surprise, admiration, disappointment, or annoyance without using a strong swear word.

What is the difference between mince and maigre?

For people, mince is often neutral or complimentary like slim, while maigre more often suggests being too thin or lacking flesh.

Where does mince come from?

It is linked to Old French mincier, meaning to cut into small pieces, and ultimately to a Latin family of words for smallness.

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