mint

Everyday

1. Mint is a plant with a fresh, strong-tasting leaf used in cooking and in toothpaste. tree →
2. A mint is a sweet tasting of mint. tree →
3. A mint is a place where a country makes its coins. tree →
4. To mint coins is to make them. tree →
5. In mint condition means looking brand new. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking, mint goes in sauces, drinks and salads; peppermint and spearmint are kinds of mint. In money lessons, the mint makes coins (the Royal Mint, the US Mint). Collectors want cards and toys "in mint condition". Phrases: "mint sauce", "a mint" (a lot of money, informal).

Examples

• We grow mint in the garden. tree →
• Would you like a mint? tree →
• Coins are made at the mint. tree →
• The new coins were minted this year. tree →
• My comic is in mint condition. tree →
• Mint toothpaste makes your mouth feel fresh. tree →
• Lamb is often served with mint sauce. tree →
• That house must have cost a mint. tree →
• The overseer of the mint struck coins for me. tree →

Note

The plant is uncountable ("some mint"); the sweet is countable ("two mints"). "Mint condition" means perfect, as if just made. "Freshly minted" means brand new.