Definition of 'mine'

Word Frequency

mine in pronoun use

(maɪn )

pronoun

Mine is the first person singular possessive pronoun. A speaker or writer uses mine to refer to something that belongs or relates to himself or herself.

Her right hand is inches from mine.

That wasn't his fault, it was mine.

I'm looking for a friend of mine who lives here.

More Synonyms of mine

Word Frequency

mine in noun and verb uses

(maɪn )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense mines , present participle mining , past tense, past participle mined

1. countable noun [oft noun NOUN]

A mine is a place where deep holes and tunnels are dug under the ground in order to obtain a mineral such as coal, diamonds, or gold.

...coal mines.

2. verb [usually passive]

When a mineral such as coal, diamonds, or gold is mined, it is obtained from the ground by digging deep holes and tunnels.

The pit is being shut down because it no longer has enough coal that can be mined economically. [be VERB-ed]

...the finest gems, mined from all corners of the world. [VERB-ed]

3. countable noun

A mine is a bomb which is hidden in the ground or in water and which explodes when people or things touch it.

4. verb

If an area of land or water is mined, mines are placed there which will explode when people or things touch them.

The approaches to the garrison have been heavily mined. [be VERB-ed]

[Also VERB noun]

Synonyms: lay mines in or under, sow with mines More Synonyms of mine

mine of information

6. See also mining

Video: pronunciation of 'mine'

Word Frequency

mine in British 1

(maɪn )

pronoun

something or someone belonging to or associated with me

mine is best

2. of mine

determiner

3. (preceding a vowel) an archaic word for my1

mine eyes

mine host

Word origin of 'mine'

Old English mīn; compare Old High German, Old Norse mīn, Dutch mijn

Word Frequency

mine in British 2

(maɪn )

noun

a system of excavations made for the extraction of minerals, esp coal, ores, or precious stones

any deposit of ore or minerals

a lucrative source or abundant supply

she was a mine of information

a device containing an explosive designed to destroy ships, vehicles, or personnel, usually laid beneath the ground or in water

a tunnel or sap dug to undermine a fortification

a groove or tunnel made by certain insects, esp in a leaf

verb

to dig into (the earth) for (minerals)

to make (a hole, tunnel, etc) by digging or boring

to place explosive mines in position below the surface of (the sea or land)

10.

to undermine (a fortification) by digging mines or saps

11. another word for undermine

Derived forms

minable (ˈminable) or mineable (ˈmineable)

adjective

Word origin of 'mine'

C13: from Old French, probably of Celtic origin; compare Irish mein, Welsh mwyn ore, mine

Word Frequency

mine in American 1

(maɪn ; mīn)

noun

a large excavation made in the earth, from which to extract metallic ores, coal, precious stones, salt, or certain other minerals

mine in American 2

(maɪn ; mīn)

pronoun

that or those belonging to me: the possessive form of I2, used without a following noun, often after of

that book is mine; mine are better; he is a friend of mine

possessive pronominal adjective

2. Archaic

my: used before a word beginning with a vowel or the letter h [mine eyes, mine honor]; also used after a noun in direct address

daughter mine

Word origin of 'mine'

ME min < OE, gen. sing of ic, I, akin to Ger mein: for base see me

Example sentences containing 'mine'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Few expected him to succeed in winning approval to build a big mine beneath a national park. Times, Sunday Times (2016)None of their mine and bomb models are designed to disable. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The price tag is likely to include upfront cash plus further payments depending on the coal price and mine performance. Times, Sunday Times (2016)An old girlfriend of mine tells me she's getting married. Times, Sunday Times (2016)In a matter of hours they look as if they've been down a coal mine. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The nationalisation of the coal mines in 1946 meant the family lost control of their lucrative income stream. The Sun (2016)It's hard to put a figure on how bad that will be but make mine a large one. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Gentle winter pruning keeps mine to about 1.5m x 1.5m. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Nine teams of rescuers were trying to contact three miners missing underground after an earthquake killed five others in Europe's largest copper mine. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The data gold mine kept yielding nuggets. Times, Sunday Times (2015)Those who work in deep mines experience this heat flux at uncomfortably close quarters. Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)Preparing a rare earth mine to western environmental standards is costly. Times, Sunday Times (2009)His lips were touching mine and his eyes were looking into mine. John Cornwell Seminary Boy (2006)Their work will be mined for information for years to come. Times, Sunday Times (2015)But these problems were mine to deal with. Times, Sunday Times (2016)What is the area of his circle divided by the area of mine? Times, Sunday Times (2011)The quotations in this book are a gold mine for other writers. The Times Literary Supplement (2011)The past was for books like mine. Charles Glass The Tribes Triumphant (2006)Sounds ace for big families like mine. The Sun (2016)We should use robots to detect and destroy mines. The Sun (2011)It is a very inconvenient fault of mine. George Eliot Middlemarch (1872)Oceans where technology has made it possible to catch fish and mine for minerals at any depth need refuges. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The fronds can reach five metres long in their native conditions - mine are about two metres. Times, Sunday Times (2010)A mine exploded beneath the vehicle, and the crew were all killed. Times, Sunday Times (2006)