mixed-blood

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mixed-blood" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person of mixed ethnic or racial heritage. Example: "She identifies as mixed-blood, embracing both her Native American and European ancestry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

Towns are centres of mestizo (mixed-blood) population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

The degree of disloyalty is compounded when delivered by "mixed-blood" Aboriginal writers, who are, after all, the wayward children of the benevolent nation.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

She explained that my father had "mixed blood", and his parents were both light-skinned creoles from New Orleans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is even a new filter on BeautyPlus called "mixed blood," used to achieve a Eurasian appearance.

The New Yorker

"I could never understand why 'Pure Confidence' didn't play the city," said Marion McClinton, the director of both the Mixed Blood staging and its New York remount.

The New York Times

Since Mixed Blood just closed its production of the play in January, the company had no time to raise money for this New York run.

The New York Times

"Pure Confidence," a Mixed Blood Theater production that's part of the Americas Off Broadway series at 59E59 Theaters, sets out to challenge stereotypes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "mixed-blood", be mindful of the context and audience, as it can carry historical baggage and potentially offensive connotations. Consider alternatives like "multiracial" or "biracial" if appropriate to avoid any unintended harm.

Common error

Avoid using "mixed-blood" in contexts where a more specific or respectful term would be more appropriate. For instance, referring to someone's cultural identity solely as "mixed-blood" can oversimplify their complex background and diminish their individual experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mixed-blood" primarily functions as an adjective describing a person or group with ancestors from different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Ludwig examples show its usage in historical and social contexts. It can modify nouns like "girl", "Frenchman", or "Aboriginal writers".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "mixed-blood" functions primarily as an adjective denoting multiracial or multiethnic ancestry. While grammatically correct, its usage requires sensitivity due to historical connotations. Ludwig identifies its presence across news, scientific, and encyclopedia sources, with news media being the most frequent context. Alternative phrases such as "multiracial heritage" or "of mixed parentage" may be preferable in certain contexts to avoid potential offense. It is important to consider the historical and social implications of the term when choosing to use it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biracial heritage

Focuses on having two distinct racial backgrounds.

multiracial background

Highlights the presence of multiple racial ancestries, implying more than two.

of mixed parentage

Emphasizes the diverse origins of one's parents.

having dual heritage

Stresses the inheritance of cultural and ethnic traditions from two distinct groups.

of combined ethnicity

Highlights that origins arise from different ethnicities.

cross-cultural background

Focuses on cultural experiences resulting from diverse ethnic origins.

hybrid ancestry

Uses a biological metaphor to indicate mixed origins.

interracial descent

Emphasizes the racial aspect of mixed ancestry.

having composite roots

Emphasizes the mixture of origins.

mixed ethnicity lineage

Lineage focus, with different ethnicity.

FAQs

Is "mixed-blood" an offensive term?

While not inherently offensive, "mixed-blood" can carry historical connotations related to discriminatory practices. Use it with caution and consider whether more neutral terms like "multiracial" or "biracial" are more appropriate.

How can I describe someone with multiple ethnic backgrounds respectfully?

Focus on individual identity and heritage. Instead of broadly labeling someone as "mixed-blood", acknowledge their specific ethnic or cultural backgrounds. For example, "She has both Japanese and Brazilian heritage".

What are some alternatives to using "mixed-blood" in academic writing?

In formal contexts, consider using terms like "of mixed heritage", "multiracial", or "biracial". These terms are generally considered more neutral and avoid potential offense.

Is there a difference between "mixed-blood" and "mixed race"?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but "mixed race" is usually considered more modern and less likely to evoke negative historical connotations than "mixed-blood".