mud lark

1 of 2

noun

1
: a person who grubs in mud (as in search of stray bits of coal, iron, rope)
specifically : an urchin who grubs for a living along the tide flats of the English Thames
2
a
dialectal, England : pipit
b
: any of various birds (as the meadowlark or the shoveler) that live in moist places
c
: the Australian magpie lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) that makes mud nests

mudlark

2 of 2

intransitive verb

: to play, dig, or search in mud or on muddy ground
had been out all the morning sailing cork boats and mudlarking in the marshesCrosbie Garstin

Word History

Etymology

Intransitive verb

mud lark

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near mud lark

Cite this Entry

“Mud lark.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mud%20lark. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!