# mink

> English word · Noun · IPA /mɪŋk/ · frequency rank #23,904

## Definitions
1. Any semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammal in the Mustelinae subfamily, similar to weasels, with dark fur, native to Europe and America, of which two species in different genera are extant: the American mink (Neogale vison) and the European mink (Mustela lutreola).
2. The fur or pelt of a mink, used to make apparel.
3. An article of clothing made of mink.
4. A person with poor personal hygiene; a smelly person.

## Etymology
From Late Middle English mynk (“fur of the European mink”), apparently from Swedish mink, mänk, menk (“stinking animal in Finland, mink”). Compare Danish mink (“mink”), Icelandic minkur (“mink”).

## Easily confused with
- **MN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mn)
- **MK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mk)
- **mix** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mix)
- **mon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mon)
- **mit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mit)
- **mir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mir)
- **mun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mun)
- **MSN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-msn)
- **MLK** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mlk)
- **miz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-miz)
- **miss** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-miss)
- **monk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-monk)
- **mint** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mint)
- **mock** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mock)
- **mist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mist)
- **mona** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mona)
- **musk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-musk)
- **mont** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mont)
- **mitt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mitt)
- **Mira** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mink-vs-mira)

## Common misspellings (6)
`imnk`, `mikn`, `minkk`, `minnk`, `mmink`, `mnik`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mink