Mum Definition

mŭm
mummed, mumming, mums
adjective
Silent; not speaking.
Webster's New World
interjection
Used as a command to stop speaking.
American Heritage
verb
mumming, mums
To wear a mask or costume in fun; specif., to act as a mummer at Christmastime.
Webster's New World
To go merrymaking in a mask or disguise especially during a festival.
American Heritage
noun
mums
Mother.
Webster's New World
A chrysanthemum.
Webster's New World
A strong beer.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun

One's mother.

I wish Mum and Dad didn't argue so much.
Wiktionary
idiom
mum's the word
  • Say nothing of the secret you know:

    Mum's the word on the surprise party.

American Heritage
mum's the word
  • say nothing
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Mum

Noun

Singular:
mum
Plural:
mums

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Mum

Origin of Mum

  • Middle English mummen from Old French momer to wear a mask

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English perhaps imitative of closing one's lips

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Short for mummy

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • German Mumme

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Mum Is Also Mentioned In

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