mug
muhg
Mug (noun) means a large cup with a handle, used for hot drinks, without a saucer. Example: “He poured his coffee into a chipped mug.”
noun
1
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."
"Grandad's favourite mug has a picture of a lighthouse on the side."
2
(informal) A person's face.
"He made a stupid mug at the camera."
"I recognized his mug from the wanted poster."
"Wipe that grin off your mug and help me carry these boxes."
3
(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."
"Stop treating me like a mug and give me a proper answer."
verb
1
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."
"Tourists are warned not to walk alone at night in case someone mugs them."
2
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."
"The children mugged shamelessly at the camera while their parents tried to take a serious photo."
How to use mug
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- mugs
- Third person singular
- mugs
- Past tense
- mugged
- Comparative
- mugger
- Superlative
- muggest
Fill the gap
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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.
Class of 1500
mug joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Related words
Rhymes for mug
See all rhymes for mug →Frequently asked questions
What does “mug” mean?
The word “mug” means a large cup with a handle, used for hot drinks, without a saucer. In plain terms, a cup with a handle — or, informally, a face, a gullible person, or (as a verb) to rob someone violently.
How do you pronounce “mug”?
“Mug” is pronounced muhg (/mʌɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “mug” in a sentence?
Here is “mug” used in a sentence: “He poured his coffee into a chipped mug.”
What part of speech is “mug”?
Depending on how it is used, “mug” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “mug” come from?
The word “mug” dates back to around 1500 and comes from German. 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.
Is “mug” a common word?
“Mug” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “mug” have?
“Mug” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large cup with a handle, used for hot drinks, without a saucer.
What is the difference between a mug and a cup?
A mug is a large drinking vessel with a handle used for hot drinks and is typically used without a saucer, whereas a cup is usually smaller and often paired with a saucer in formal settings. Mugs are generally considered more casual and everyday than cups.
What does it mean to mug someone versus mug for the camera?
To mug someone means to attack and rob them, usually in a public place, and describes a criminal act. To mug for the camera means to make exaggerated facial expressions for effect, which is a harmless, often humorous behaviour.
Is calling someone a mug an insult?
Yes, in British informal usage, calling someone a mug means describing them as gullible or easily fooled, and it is generally considered a mild insult. This sense is distinct from mug meaning a person's face, which is more neutral or playful.
Is mug meaning a person's face formal or informal?
Mug used to mean a person's face is informal, and it often appears in casual or humorous contexts rather than formal writing.
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