mint

Pluralmints

Formsmints, minting, minted

1. 1
   garden herbnouncountable or uncountable

   An aromatic plant of the genus Mentha, usually with square stems and a strong, fresh scent.

   Mint spreads aggressively through underground runners and can crowd out other herbs.

   Because mint spreads so quickly, she grows it in a large pot by the back door instead of in the garden.

   UsageSay some mint or a sprig of mint for the herb; a mint is one kind of plant or a sweet.

   Similarmentha

2. 2
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The flavoring obtained from the mint plant, used in a sweet, jelly, or sauce.

   The jelly was flavored with mint and served beside the roast.

   A hint of mint ran through the dark chocolate filling.

3. 3
   breath candynouncountable or uncountable

   A candy flavored with mint, often eaten to sweeten the smell of the breath.

   A bowl of mints sat by the restaurant door.

   He took a mint to cover the smell of coffee on his breath.

   UsageSay a mint, a packet of mints, a breath mint.

4. 4
   make metal coinsverbtransitive

   To produce coins, usually in large quantities, under government license.

   The government mints new coins every year.

   They mint commemorative coins to mark national events.

   Similarstrike, coin, issue

5. 5
   coin factorynouncountable

   A building or institution, licensed by the government, where money (originally only coins) is produced.

   The national mint released a commemorative coin for the anniversary.

   Visitors can tour the old mint where silver dollars were once struck.

   Note

   The coin word takes its name from a goddess. Latin monēta meant a place for making coins, after the temple of Juno Moneta where coins were struck. The same Latin word gave English money, so mint and money are doublets: two borrowings of one source. Old English mynet and Middle English mynt meant the coin itself. The modern sense of the place returns to what the Latin first named. Source

   Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 6 facts

   • The coin word ultimately derives from the goddess Juno Moneta, whose temple was associated with coin production. metmuseum.org
   • Latin monēta denoted a place for making coins. en.wiktionary.org
   • Mint and money are doublets ultimately derived from the same Latin word through different borrowing routes. en.wiktionary.org
   • Old English mynet meant a coin. en.wiktionary.org
   • Middle English mynt meant money or a coin. en.wiktionary.org
   • The English meaning referring to the place reproduces the earlier Latin place meaning. en.wikipedia.org
6. 6
   inventverbtransitive

   To invent, fashion, or fabricate something, especially a new word or phrase.

   Scientists mint fresh terms whenever they discover something new.

   He minted the phrase that later defined an entire era.

   UsageOften in newly minted: a newly minted graduate.

   Similarcoin, invent, create, devise

   Note

   Coin-making turned metaphor: the verb can mean making up anything new, with a shadow of forge and fabricate behind it. Francis Bacon, in Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine, writes of titles "easily minted". Paul Salopek (2022) writes of China's newly minted national parks, things that have only just come into being. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

   • The figurative verb belongs to the coin-making word family and means inventing, forging, fabricating or fashioning. en.wiktionary.org
   • Francis Bacon uses the words “easily minted” about titles in Considerations Touching a Warre with Spaine. en.wiktionary.org
   • Paul Salopek wrote about China’s newly minted national parks in 2022. outofedenwalk.nationalgeographic.org
7. 7
   perfect conditionadjective

   In perfect, as-new condition, as if never used or handled; of a coin or stamp, uncirculated or unused as issued.

   The dealer listed the silver dollar as mint and uncirculated.

   Collectors pay far more for a stamp in mint condition than for one that has been used.

   UsageOften in mint condition.

   Similarpristine, perfect, immaculate, unused, new

   Oppositeused, worn, damaged

   Note

   Here the word comes closest to its source: a coin described this way looks as it did when it left the mint. Numismatists pair it with uncirculated, meaning no handling has worn it. Said of anything else it is loose praise for something like new, but for collectors it is a grade. For coins, it asks for no circulation wear, though marks and flaws may remain. Source

   Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

   • Mint condition originally refers to a coin’s condition when it leaves the mint. en.wikipedia.org
   • In numismatics, mint state corresponds to uncirculated condition, without circulation wear. pcgs.com
   • Mint state is a formal coin-grading designation. usmint.gov
   • Mint-state coins need show no circulation wear, but lower mint-state grades can have extensive marks and very poor eye appeal; near-perfection is not required. money.org
8. 8
   green shadeadjective

   Colored green like the leaves of the mint plant.

   They chose mint walls for the nursery.

   He wore a mint sweater and a white shirt to the spring party.

   UsageAlso mint green: a mint green dress.

9. 9
   create cryptoverbtransitive

   To create a new crypto token by recording it on a blockchain.

   Artists mint tokens to sell their digital artwork online.

   The studio minted a limited series of collectible tokens.

   Similarcreate, issue

   Oppositeburn

   Note

   Coinage vocabulary carried onto the blockchain: as striking coins makes money out of metal, minting brings a token into being and records its first owner. In March 2021 Scott Reyburn, writing "JPG File Sells for $69 Million, as 'NFT Mania' Gathers Pace," still set "minted" in quotation marks for Beeple's artwork. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

   • Striking coins makes money from metal. usmint.gov
   • Minting creates a token and establishes its initial ownership on the blockchain. ethereum.org
   • Scott Reyburn's article with the stated title appeared in March 2021 and used quotation marks around “minted” when describing Beeple's artwork. en.wiktionary.org
10. 10
    green shadenouncountable or uncountable

    A shade of green resembling that of mint leaves.

    The designer paired mint with soft gray throughout the house.

    A touch of mint brightened the otherwise plain hallway.

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