noun

mab

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Mab (noun) means (dated, dialectal) A sloppy or slovenly woman. Example: “The old rhyme mocked her as a mab who never tidied her cottage.”

noun

(dated, dialectal) A sloppy or slovenly woman.

"The old rhyme mocked her as a mab who never tidied her cottage."

(dated) A hackney cab.

"He hailed a mab outside the theatre to get home before midnight."

How to use mab

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA now-rare word for a messy woman or, separately, an old-fashioned word for a hired cab — you will mostly meet it in older English literature.

Common mistake

Don't confuse this obsolete common noun with Queen Mab, the fairy-queen character in folklore and Shakespeare, or with the given name Mab.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: mabs
Third person singular: mabs
Past tense: mabbed

Test yourself on “mab” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old rhyme mocked her as a _____ who never tidied her cottage.

Etymology

Origin uncertain; the untidy-woman sense may be linked to the female name Mab, as in Queen Mab, the fairy queen of English folklore mentioned in Romeo and Juliet.

Frequently asked questions

What does “mab” mean?

The word “mab” means (dated, dialectal) A sloppy or slovenly woman. In plain terms, a now-rare word for a messy woman or, separately, an old-fashioned word for a hired cab — you will mostly meet it in older English literature.

How do you use “mab” in a sentence?

Here is “mab” used in a sentence: “The old rhyme mocked her as a mab who never tidied her cottage.”

What part of speech is “mab”?

“Mab” is a noun.

How many meanings does “mab” have?

“Mab” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (dated, dialectal) A sloppy or slovenly woman.

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