• Mum

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /mÊŒm/
    • Rhymes: -ÊŒm

    Origin 1

    Alternative forms

    Alternative form of mam, or an abbreviation of mummy. Compare mom, mama.

    Full definition of mum

    Noun

    mum

    (plural mums)
    1. (UK, Australia, Canada, New England, informal) Mother.
    2. (dated) A term of respect for an older woman.

    Usage notes

    Mum is only capitalized when used as a proper noun:

    I don't think Mum will like you.

    I don't think my mum will like you.

    In New England, the word may still be spelt "mom", but it will have the pronunciation of "mum."

    Synonyms

    Origin 2

    Abbreviation of chrysanthemum.

    Noun

    mum

    (plural mums)
    1. A chrysanthemum.

    Origin 3

    From Middle English mum or mom ("silent"), reminiscent of the sound made when gagged or with a hand over one's mouth. Perhaps related to German Mumme ("mask").

    Adjective

    mum

    1. (colloquial) silent.
      • ShakespeareThe citizens are mum, and speak not a word.
    2. (colloquial) secret.

    Interjection

    1. stop speaking! hush!
      • ShakespeareMum, then, and no more.

    Verb

    1. to act in a pantomime or dumb show

    Noun

    mum

    (uncountable)
    1. (obsolete) silence

    Origin 4

    German Mummere, named after Christian Mumme, who first brewed it in 1492.

    Noun

    mum

    (uncountable)
    1. A sort of strong beer, originally made in Brunswick, Germany.The clamorous crowd is hushed with mugs of mum. — Alexander Pope.

    Anagrams

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