Meaning & use
mixed blood
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountableoffensiveold-fashioned
Having parents or ancestors from different ethnic or racial groups (now usually considered offensive when applied to people).
Grammar: Used after 'of' or as a modifier: 'of mixed blood', 'a mixed-blood family'. Avoid it for people; use 'mixed heritage'.
Patterns
- of mixed blood
- have mixed blood
The novel's hero is described as a man of mixed blood, caught between two worlds.
Older records sometimes used 'mixed blood' in ways that are now seen as offensive.
noununcountable
In animals, especially horses and dogs, having parents of different breeds.
Grammar: Neutral for animals; often used before a noun: 'a mixed-blood stallion'.
Patterns
- a mixed-blood horse
- of mixed blood
The ranch keeps several mixed-blood horses for trail riding.
Mixed-blood dogs are often healthier than purebreds.
Common combinations
- of mixed blood
- He was proud to be of mixed blood.
- mixed-blood horse
- They bought a mixed-blood horse at the auction.
- mixed blood and culture
- Her art reflects a life of mixed blood and culture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mixed heritage
- The modern, respectful term for people; use this instead of 'mixed blood'.
- mixed race
- Common and neutral today, though some prefer 'mixed heritage'.
- crossbred
- Used mainly for animals and plants, not people.
Opposites
Word family
- mixed-blooded adjective
- Having mixed ancestry; rare and dated for people.
Commonly confused: mixed blood or mixed-race?
mixed blood vs mixed-race
The standard modern adjective for people; 'mixed blood' is a noun phrase and is now seen as offensive.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'mixed blood' in the most acceptable way today?
Choose one answer.
For animals, 'mixed-blood' is neutral and still used. The other options apply it to people, where it is dated and offensive; say 'mixed heritage' or 'mixed race' instead.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mixed blood”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.