mink

noun

ˈmiŋk How to pronounce mink (audio)
plural mink or minks
Synonyms of minknext
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

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
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.
Flu experts were unequivocal that the government should have ordered the farm to cull its mink, as other countries have done. — Nat Lash, ProPublica, 23 Oct. 2026 Mink Brown Baum says to think of a mink brown is a true medium brown that’s rich and shiny, but still understated. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026 The new policy prohibits fur from animals killed specifically for their pelts, including mink, fox, rabbit, chinchilla and coyote. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mink

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for mink

See All Rhymes for mink

Browse Nearby Words

minivet
mink
minkery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mink. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mink

noun
ˈmiŋk How to pronounce mink (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on mink

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mink

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mink

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