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 Orioles are mum on their secret sauce – there are plenty of theories – though some of their guiding principles aren’t necessarily groundbreaking. —Eno Sarris, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024

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

Verb

In the past, many business leaders have stayed out of the fray and publicly mum about their own political beliefs. —Bybrit Morse, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2024

Noun

Despite remaining mum on specific details, the Queen's son did share some insight into the royal family's celebration at Sandringham and his inclusion. —Chris Barilla, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024

Maggie Sims began her love affair with romance before her teen years, drawn to the Regency by her mum’s British influence. —Tiara Allen, Austin American-Statesman, 22 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