mud

1 of 2

noun

ˈməd 

1

: a slimy sticky mixture of solid material with a liquid and especially water

especially : soft wet earth

2

: abusive and malicious remarks or charges

political campaigners slinging mud at each other

3

: anathema sense 1a

—usually used in the phrase one's name is mud

4

: a mixture of water, clay, and chemicals used in oil-well drilling and having various functions (such as lubrication and cooling of the bit and flushing of rock particles to the surface)

mud

2 of 2

verb

mudded; mudding

transitive verb

1

: to make muddy or turbid

2

: to treat or plaster with mud

Synonyms

Noun

• guck
• gook
• mire
• muck
• ooze
• slime
• slop
• sludge
• slush

Examples of mud in a Sentence

Noun

He tracked mud into the house.

The car was stuck in the mud.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In just one day, an entire year's worth of rainfall drenched the area, submerging homes and vehicles and leaving streets clogged with mud and debris. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024

Other elements included the building of a practical mud pit, mushrooms on set and real fireflies for a sequence in Episode 3, to ensure each moment in the series looked and felt as real as possible. —Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 30 Oct. 2024

Verb

In the past month alone, over 500 shoppers have added the robot vacuum to their carts — just in time for the season of trekking unwanted dirt, grass, and mud inside. —Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024

Integrated gaiters give above-ankle protection to keep slushy snow and mud out while the outer Gore-tex fabric makes the shoe waterproof and windproof, yet breathable. —Laura Holt, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English mudde, probably from Middle Low German

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mud

• as clear as mud
• drag someone's name through the mud
• drag through the mire/mud
• drilling mud
• mud dauber
• mud flap
• mud puppy
• mud season
• mud turtle
• sling/throw mud
• someone's name is mud
• stick-in-the-mud

Kids Definition

mud

noun

ˈməd

: soft wet earth