VocabDictionary

mire

/ˈmaɪər/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A stretch of swampy or boggy ground; soft, deep mud.

Example Sentences:
  • The heavy wagon wheels sank deep into the mire after the torrential rain.
  • The hikers struggled to cross the mire without losing their boots.
2.verb

To cause to become stuck or entangled in mud or a difficult situation.

Example Sentences:
  • The administration was mired in a series of political scandals.
  • The project became mired in bureaucratic red tape, delaying its completion for months.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “mire”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse 'mýrr' (swamp, bog) and related to the Old English 'mere' (pool, lake). It shares roots with the Proto-Germanic 'miuzijō'. Historically, it referred specifically to deep, muddy ground, but evolved to include figurative senses of being stuck in difficult or compromising situations.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'mire' as a 'messy marsh' that makes you 'mired' (stuck) in mud.

Frequently Asked Questions About “mire

1. What is the meaning of “mire” in English?

In English, mire (noun) is defined as: “A stretch of swampy or boggy ground; soft, deep mud.”.

2. How do you use “mire” in a sentence?

The heavy wagon wheels sank deep into the mire after the torrential rain.

3. What are English synonyms of “mire”?

Common synonyms include:quagmire,bog,swamp,slough,marsh

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “mire”?

Derived from the Old Norse 'mýrr' (swamp, bog) and related to the Old English 'mere' (pool, lake). It shares roots with the Proto-Germanic 'miuzijō'. Historically, it referred specifically to deep, muddy ground, but evolved to include figurative senses of being stuck in difficult or compromising situations.