mug

1 of 3

noun

ˈməg 

1

: a cylindrical drinking cup

2

a

: the face or mouth of a person

b

: grimace

c

: mug shot

3

a chiefly British

(1)

: fool, blockhead

(2)

: a person easily deceived

b

: punk, thug

mugful

ˈməg-ˌfu̇l 

noun

mug

2 of 3

verb (1)

mugged; mugging

intransitive verb

: to pose or make faces especially to attract attention or for a camera

transitive verb

: photograph

mug

3 of 3

verb (2)

mugged; mugging

transitive verb

1

: to assault usually with intent to rob

2

: to attack suddenly

got mugged in the press by his colleagues

muggee

ˌmə-ˈgē 

noun

Synonyms

Noun

• cup

Verb (1)

• grimace
• mouth

Examples of mug in a Sentence

Noun

a collection of coffee mugs

He drank a mug of coffee.

They're taking you for a mug.

Verb (1)

every time their picture was snapped, both children mugged by sticking out their tongues or scrunching up their faces

mugging captured criminals for the police records

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The photo was then featured in several campaign ads for Trump, along with merchandise items for Trump’s campaign like T-shirts and coffee mugs. —Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 Dec. 2024

Byrdie’s Pick up a handcrafted mug or bowl from this ceramic studio located in the Marigny neighborhood. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024

The ladies of The View are putting down their mugs and stepping away from the Hot Topics table to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. —EW.com, 23 Dec. 2024

The coffee mug featured a cartoon bear wearing a bowtie and holding up a heart. —Gil MacIas, People.com, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

Verb (2)

probably from earlier mug to strike in the face, perhaps from mug entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1855, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mug

• a mug's game
• mug's game
• mug shot
• mug up

Kids Definition

mug

1 of 3 noun

ˈməg 

1

: a usually large drinking cup with a handle

2

: the face or mouth of a person

3

: punk entry 1 sense 1, thug

mug

2 of 3 verb

mugged; mugging

1

: to make faces especially to attract attention : grimace

2

: photograph entry 2

mug

3 of 3 verb

mugged; mugging

: to assault especially with the intention of robbing

mugger noun

Legal Definition

mug

transitive verb

mugged; mugging

: to assault (an individual) usually with intent to rob