intermixed

Intermixed is an adjective and the past participle of the verb intermingle (or intermix). It describes something that has been mixed together or that consists of diverse elements distributed among one another. The mixing may be even or uneven, but the key idea is that distinct components are present within a common whole rather than kept separate.

The term is versatile and can refer to physical arrangements as well as abstract combinations. Examples include intermixed grains, colors, or flavors, and a population that is intermixed with people from different backgrounds. It is common to say that elements are intermixed with or among other elements, as in “colors intermixed with patterns” or “voices intermixed with music.”

Etymology: from inter- meaning between and mix; formed in English from the verb intermix, with the past participle intermixed.

Related terms include intermingle, intermix, and mingled. Intermixed emphasizes integration within a single set, whereas unmixed stresses separation. The word is more formal in tone and is often used in descriptive writing, reports, or studies describing composition or diversity.