mum

1 of 5

adjective

ˈməm 

: silent

keep mum

mum

2 of 5

verb

mummed; mumming

intransitive verb

1

: to perform in a pantomime

2

: to go about merrymaking in disguise during festivals

mum

3 of 5

noun (1)

: a strong ale or beer

mum

4 of 5

chiefly British spelling of mom

mum

5 of 5

noun

: chrysanthemum

Synonyms

Adjective

• dumb
• mute
• muted
• silent
• speechless
• uncommunicative
• wordless

Examples of mum in a Sentence

Adjective

I'd like to know how much they paid, but they've been mum on that subject.

kept mum about the surprise bridal shower

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The major airlines have largely been mum about the programs and their profitability, only referencing them in their filings and public statements. —Chris Isidore, CNN, 8 Sep. 2024

Disney and Lucasfilm have mostly been mum about the lawsuit. —Justin Klawans, theweek, 20 Feb. 2024

Noun

Even as Trump and other Republicans have threatened some of that coverage, Kennedy has remained mum. —Aleccia Washington, Twin Cities, 15 Nov. 2024

However, Badenoch remained mum about any new policy positions during the selection process. —Elaine Mallon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English mom, momme, probably imitative of a sound made with closed lips

Verb

Middle English mommen, to mumble, perform (a mummer's play), probably in part from mom, in part from Middle French momer to go masked

Noun (1)

German Mumme

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1623, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mum

• keep/stay mum
• mum's the word

Kids Definition

mum

1 of 3 adjective

ˈməm 

: silent sense 1

keep mum

mum

2 of 3 noun

: chrysanthemum

mum

3 of 3

chiefly British variant of mom