mug

The definition of a mug is a heavy drinking cup that usually has a handle, or a slang term for the face or mouth.

(noun)

Mug is defined as to attack someone, particularly to rob him or her, or is slang for making faces in front of the camera.

(verb)

An example of mug is to steal a person's wallet.
An example of mug is for a little boy to make a scary face while his mom is taking his picture.

See mug in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a heavy drinking cup of earthenware or metal, having a handle and formerly often ornamented with a human face
as much as a mug will hold
Slang
1. the face
2. the mouth
3. a grimace
4. a rough, ugly person; ruffian, thug, etc.
5. ☆ mug shot

Origin: prob. < Scand, as in Swed mugg

transitive verb mugged, mugging

to assault usually with intent to rob
☆ Slang to photograph; esp., to photograph (a person under arrest) for police records

intransitive verb

to assault a person, usually with intent to rob
Slang
1. to make a grimace
2. Theater to overact by exaggerated facial expressions

intransitive verb mugged, mugging

Brit., Slang to study hard and hurriedly, as in preparation for an examination; cram: used with up

See mug in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Origin:

Origin: Perhaps of Scandinavian origin

noun

Informal
a. The human face.
b. The area of the human mouth, chin, and jaw.
c. A grimace.
d. A mug shot.
A thug; a hoodlum.
Chiefly British Slang A victim or dupe.

verb mugged mugged, mug·ging, mugs

verb, transitive

Informal To photograph (a person's face) for police files.
To threaten or assault (a person) with the intent to rob: arrested the thief who mugged the tourists.

verb, intransitive

To make exaggerated facial expressions, especially for humorous effect: The partygoers mugged for the camera.

Origin:

Origin: Probably from mug¹ (possibly in allusion to mugs decorated with grotesque faces)

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