mummy
9 synonyms for mummy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
mumma
mammy
Etymology
From Arabic mūmiyāʔ via Persian mumyā ("wax"), passing through Medieval Latin and French into English.
Full origin of mummy →Frequently asked questions
What does “mummy” mean?
The word “mummy” means a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt. In plain terms, either an embalmed body preserved long-term, or (informally) mother.
How do you pronounce “mummy”?
“Mummy” is pronounced MUHM-ee (/ˈmʌm.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “mummy” in a sentence?
Here is “mummy” used in a sentence: “The museum's star exhibit is a 3,000-year-old mummy.”
What part of speech is “mummy”?
“Mummy” is a noun.
Where does the word “mummy” come from?
The word “mummy” comes from Medieval Latin. From Arabic mūmiyāʔ via Persian mumyā ("wax"), passing through Medieval Latin and French into English.
Is “mummy” a common word?
“Mummy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mummy” have?
“Mummy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt.
What is the difference between mummy meaning "mother" and mummy meaning an embalmed body?
Mummy as a British word for mother is used affectionately by or to young children, similar to "mommy" in American English, and has nothing to do with the other sense. Mummy meaning an embalmed body refers to a corpse preserved through wrapping and embalming, especially as practiced in ancient Egypt; the two meanings are unrelated homonyms.
Is mummy British or American English for mother?
Mummy is the British word for mother, especially as used by or to young children, while American English typically uses "mommy" in the equivalent context. Both are informal, affectionate childhood terms for a mother.
How were ancient Egyptian mummies preserved?
A mummy is a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, a practice especially associated with ancient Egypt, where remains were treated and wound in cloth to prevent decay. This preservation process is what distinguishes a mummy from an ordinary buried corpse.
