mule
myool
Mule (noun) means the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, typically sterile and known for being sure-footed and stubborn. Example: “The farmer used a mule to carry supplies up the mountain trail.”
noun
1
The offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, typically sterile and known for being sure-footed and stubborn.
"The farmer used a mule to carry supplies up the mountain trail."
"Mules are prized for being tougher and more surefooted than horses."
2
A very stubborn person.
"He's as stubborn as a mule about changing his routine."
3
Someone paid to smuggle drugs, often by carrying them across a border.
"She was caught acting as a mule for a drug cartel."
4
A backless shoe or slipper that covers the front of the foot but leaves the heel exposed.
"She slipped on a pair of leather mules before heading out."
How to use mule
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA horse-donkey hybrid animal, a stubborn person, a drug smuggler, or a backless shoe — several unrelated senses share this one word.
Common pairings
stubborn as a mule
drug mule
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Word forms
- Plural
- mules
- Third person singular
- mules
- Past tense
- muled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The farmer used a _____ to carry supplies up the mountain trail.
Etymology
From Latin mulus, via Old English mul and Anglo-Norman mule.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for mule
See all rhymes for mule →Frequently asked questions
What does “mule” mean?
The word “mule” means the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, typically sterile and known for being sure-footed and stubborn. In plain terms, a horse-donkey hybrid animal, a stubborn person, a drug smuggler, or a backless shoe — several unrelated senses share this one word.
How do you pronounce “mule”?
“Mule” is pronounced myool (/mjuːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mule” in a sentence?
Here is “mule” used in a sentence: “The farmer used a mule to carry supplies up the mountain trail.”
What is another word for “mule”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mule” include Missouri canary.
What part of speech is “mule”?
“Mule” is a noun.
Where does the word “mule” come from?
The word “mule” comes from Latin. From Latin mulus, via Old English mul and Anglo-Norman mule.
Is “mule” a common word?
“Mule” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mule” have?
“Mule” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the offspring of a male donkey and a female horse, typically sterile and known for being sure-footed and stubborn.
