noun

mug

muhg

noun

A large cup with a handle, used for hot drinks, without a saucer.

"He poured his coffee into a chipped mug."

"She keeps her pens in an old mug on the desk."

(informal) A person's face.

"He made a stupid mug at the camera."

"I recognized his mug from the wanted poster."

(British, informal) A gullible or easily fooled person.

"Only a mug would fall for that scam."

"He felt like a right mug after being conned."

verb

To attack and rob someone, usually in public.

"She was mugged on her way home from the station."

"Two men tried to mug him outside the bar."

To make exaggerated facial expressions, especially for a camera.

"The comedian mugged for the audience throughout the sketch."

"He mugged for the photo, pulling a silly face."

How to Use Mug

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA cup with a handle — or, informally, a face, a gullible person, or (as a verb) to rob someone violently.

When to use it

"Mug" meaning "face" or "gullible person" is informal British slang.

Common pairings

coffee mug mug shot mug someone

Word Forms

mugger comparative, mugged past tense, mugs plural, mugs plural, mugs singular, muggest superlative

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He poured his coffee into a chipped _____.

Etymology

First recorded in 16th-century Scots and northern English dialect meaning "earthenware pot," of uncertain origin, possibly linked to Scandinavian or Low German words for a drinking vessel.

Rhymes for mug

smug

See all rhymes for mug →