noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

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

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."

A very stubborn person.

"He's as stubborn as a mule about changing his routine."

Someone paid to smuggle drugs, often by carrying them across a border.

"She was caught acting as a mule for a drug cartel."

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

muled past tense, mules plural, mules plural, Mules plural, mules singular

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The farmer used a _____ to carry supplies up the mountain trail.

Etymology

From Latin mulus, via Old English mul and Anglo-Norman mule.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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Missouri canary

Rhymes for mule

rule Yule Jule Thule module capsule ridicule schedule molecule overrule minuscule vestibule

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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.