intermingle

USAGE SUMMARY

"intermingle" is a word in English and is perfectly acceptable to use in written English.
You can use the word when you want to describe the mixing or combining of two or more things. For example, "The children's laughter intermingled with the sound of the wind outside."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We can't even imagine what this will look like, when good and evil intermingle so seamlessly in the words, deeds and souls of so many.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

First, the moderate centre colonised by Mr Blair, where Labour and Tory voters intermingle, is vastly reduced; its only permanent residents, the Liberal Democrats, have seen their vote shrink by two-thirds to aboutwo-thirds toyeabout

The Economist

There are no visible weapons within the terminal, in contrast, for example, to London Heathrow Airport where machine-gun-wielding marksmen intermingle with the crowds.There is little evidence of a rise in footfall despite plans to double BIAP's annual capacity to 15m passengers.

The Economist

A contingent of the Indian army would keep the peace between the country's Tamil minority and its Sinhalese majority in the blood-stained north-east, where the two communities intermingle.

The Economist

Instead, its biologists, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and computer geeks intermingle, sharing laboratory equipment, teachers and money.

The Economist

Soaring house prices intermingle with homelessness.

The Economist

Orthoclase and the sodium-bearing end-member of the system, albite (sodium aluminosilicate; NaAlSi3O8), form the alkali feldspars, a series in which sodium-bearing and potassium-bearing species intermingle; thus, there is a continuous chemical variation between the two end-members.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adult males do not intermingle but, unlike chimpanzees, are not hostile.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The villagers are wary of their protectors, because Japan's farming and warrior castes were culturally forbidden to intermingle and because of the samurai reputation for violence and sexual assault.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All of the minority groups intermingle with Han people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Simultaneous hermaphroditism occurs when sperm-producing tubules and egg-producing follicles intermingle in the gonads (as in the family Tridacnidae), or the gonads may be developed into a separate ovary and testis, as in all representatives of the subclass Anomalodesmata.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intermingle" when you want to emphasize the blending or mixing of different elements that retain some of their original characteristics within the combination. For example, "Different musical styles intermingled in the band's new album."

Common error

Avoid using "intermingle" when a simpler term like "mix" or "combine" would suffice. "Intermingle" is best suited for contexts where the interaction or blending is more complex or nuanced than a basic combination.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intermingle" is as a verb. It describes an action of mixing or blending different elements. As Ludwig AI points out, this mixing often implies that the original elements retain some distinct characteristics even after combining.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intermingle" is a versatile verb used to describe the mixing or blending of elements, often implying that the original components remain somewhat distinct. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While alternatives like ""blend"" or ""mix"" exist, "intermingle" is particularly effective when highlighting a nuanced or complex combination. It is a neutral term found frequently in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for various communication needs. Avoid overusing it in simple mixing scenarios where simpler terms suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intermix

A direct synonym, emphasizing the mutual mixing of elements.

blend

A more general term for combining elements, often used when the resulting mixture is uniform.

mix

A basic term for combining substances or elements without necessarily implying a seamless combination.

mingle

Similar to "intermingle" but often implies a social context where people interact and mix.

commingle

Almost interchangeable with "intermingle", but can sometimes imply a more haphazard or unintentional mixing.

merge

Suggests a combination that results in a unified entity, often implying a loss of individual identities.

fuse

Implies a strong, almost inseparable combination, often involving heat or pressure.

combine

A broad term for bringing things together, without specifying the nature of the resulting mixture.

amalgamate

Suggests a more formal or complex combination, often used in business or political contexts.

cross

Describes a process of breeding or mixing different species or varieties to form hybrids.

FAQs

What does "intermingle" mean?

"Intermingle" means to mix or blend together, often in a way that the original elements are still discernible.

What can I say instead of "intermingle"?

You can use alternatives like "blend", "mix", or "mingle" depending on the context.

Is "intermingle" formal or informal?

"Intermingle" is a neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in writing than in everyday speech.

How do I use "intermingle" in a sentence?

You can use "intermingle" to describe how different elements combine, for example: "The sounds of laughter and music "blend" together at the party."