My monolingual dictionaries tell me that the word "mingle" can only be used as a verb in English, something that is confirmed by various google searches. So, what could I use instead, to say "The party will begin with a mingle, and then there is a sit-down meal" in a more idiomatic way? Is there another noun for this activity, or do I have to rephrase completely? My bilingual dictionary is not of much help, since that suggests "mingle", used as a noun…
Word Usage – What is the Term for Mingling at a Social Event?
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Best Answer
"Mingle" really means to put yourself into a crowd. At a social event, 'mingling' suggests branching out and meeting new people rather than those you are already familiar with. We don't formally use "mingle" as a noun in the way you suggest, although an individual might informally say "I'm going for a mingle", perhaps? I don't believe there is a noun in popular use for a designated time like that.
I think you just need the word "socialise", or "socialising". The most common ways of saying this would probably be:
or
Perhaps at more formal parties, there might be "introductions" - where people are formally introduced to one another, and that word might be used to describe that time. Most people - although this much is perhaps opinion - find 'forced' introductions at social gatherings to be awkward, and prefer mingling to be a personal choice and introductions to happen naturally.