mum

¹

[ muhm ]

adjective

1. silent; not saying a word:

   to keep mum.

interjection

1. (used to demand immediate silence.)

mum

²

or mumm

[ muhm ]

verb (used without object)

, mummed, mum·ming.

1. to say “mum”; call for silence.
2. to act as a mummer.

mum

³

[ muhm ]

noun

1. chrysanthemum.

mum

⁴

[ muhm ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. mom ( def 1 ).

mum

⁵

[ muhm ]

noun

1. a strong beer or ale, first made in Brunswick, Germany.

mum

⁶

[ muhm ]

noun

, Chiefly British.

1. madam.

mum

¹

/ mʌm /

noun

1. an informal word for mother 1

mum

²

/ mʌm /

verb

1. intr to act in a mummer's play

mum

³

/ mʌm /

adjective

1. keeping information to oneself; silent

noun

1. mum's the word
   silence or secrecy is to be observed

mum

⁴

/ mʌm /

noun

1. obsolete.
   a type of beer made from cereals, beans, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of mum¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English momme; imitative

Origin of mum²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mommen, verb use of mum ¹; compare Middle Dutch mommen ”to act the mummer's part”

Origin of mum³

First recorded in 1890–95; shortened form

Origin of mum⁴

First recorded in 1815–25; nursery word; mom

Origin of mum⁵

First recorded in 1630–40; from German Mumme, said to have been named after Christian Mumme, the brewer who made it

Origin of mum⁶

Variant of ma'am

Word History and Origins

Origin of mum¹

C19: a child's word

Origin of mum²

C16: verbal use of mum ²

Origin of mum³

C14: suggestive of closed lips

Origin of mum⁴

C17: from German Mumme, perhaps from the name of its original brewer

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. mum's the word, do not reveal what you know (about something); keep silent:

   Mum's the word, or the surprise party won't be a surprise.

Example Sentences

She had also just become a mum, so tried parenting groups as well but found them loud and overstimulating.

From BBC

Daisy said she likes her mum helping her at home, but wants to go back to school one day.

From BBC

In May 2024 her mum Sarah felt forced to home educate.

From BBC

On the day Lucy died her mum visited her in hospital and took her out for lunch.

From BBC

“She was an amazing mum. So creative. She did everything for her kids”, Faye added.

From BBC

Related Words

• bashful