mixed blood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mixed blood" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person who has a heritage or ancestry that includes two or more ethnic or racial groups. For example: "The population of this small town is made up of a diverse group of people with mixed blood and varied backgrounds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Roelf Matlala's mixed blood was his burden.

The New York Times

The Shinnecocks, like most American Indians, are of mixed blood.

The New York Times

Mestizo, plural mestizos, feminine mestiza, any person of mixed blood.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It happened at a session on 'Native Title' involving two writers of mixed blood.

The Guardian

She is a 70 year-old aristocrat of mixed blood who lives in Fort-de-France Fort-de-France Fort-de-France

The New Yorker

This probably figured into Little, Brown's decision to pay a six-figure advance for her forthcoming memoir, "Mixed Blood".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

All tested blood-meals came from a single host i.e., no mixed blood-meal was detected.

BMC Infectious Diseases

"We Koreans are not comfortable with this mixed-blood situation.

The New York Times - Sports

She reports overhearing her French grandmother speak to her father about the distress caused by mixed-blood offspring.

The New York Times - Books

"They taught me me, a little mixed-blood Frenchman to love France and take pride in being French," he said.

The New Yorker

In the lantern-lit corridors, Pickens finds not Annabelle but her seeming doppelgänger, a mixed-blood girl chosen as the emperor's child bride.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's background, consider using more specific terms like "multiracial" or "biracial" if applicable, as they may be more accurate and less ambiguous than "mixed blood".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "mixed blood" in ways that reduce a person's identity to just their racial or ethnic background. Acknowledge the complexity and richness of individual experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mixed blood" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used to describe a person's heritage or ancestry involving multiple ethnic or racial groups. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mixed blood" is used to indicate a person's diverse ethnic or racial ancestry. While grammatically correct and frequently encountered, Ludwig AI suggests considering more specific and contemporary alternatives like "multiracial" or "of mixed ancestry" in many contexts. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media, science and encyclopedic sources. When employing this phrase, it’s crucial to be mindful of its potential historical baggage and strive for respectful and accurate language. Keep in mind that understanding and respecting the richness of individual identities is key when discussing ancestry.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of mixed ancestry

Emphasizes the ancestral origins being diverse.

of combined heritage

Highlights the blended cultural legacy.

multiracial background

Focuses on racial diversity in one's personal history.

biracial heritage

Specifically refers to having two racial backgrounds.

having multiple ethnic origins

Stresses the variety of ethnic roots.

of diverse lineage

Highlights the different lines of descent.

of blended ethnicity

Emphasizes the merging of ethnic identities.

having a multicultural background

Refers to exposure to and influence from multiple cultures.

cross-cultural heritage

Highlights the intersection of different cultural influences.

interracial descent

Focuses on the genetic roots from different races.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "mixed blood" in a sentence?

You can use "mixed blood" to describe someone with ancestry from multiple ethnic or racial groups. For example, "The character's "mixed blood" played a significant role in their cultural identity."

What are some alternatives to saying "mixed blood"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "multiracial", "biracial", or "of mixed ancestry".

Is it acceptable to use "mixed blood" in formal writing?

While understandable, "mixed blood" can sound outdated or even offensive to some. Consider using more neutral and descriptive terms like "multicultural background" or "diverse heritage" in formal contexts.

What is the difference between "mixed blood" and "multiracial"?

"Multiracial" is a more contemporary and widely accepted term that explicitly refers to having ancestry from multiple racial groups. "Mixed blood" can be seen as less precise and potentially carrying historical baggage.