mum
muhm
Mum (noun) means Mother — the common British and Irish term. Example: “My mum picks me up from school on Fridays.”
noun
1
Mother — the common British and Irish term.
"My mum picks me up from school on Fridays."
"Say hi to your mum for me."
"Mum made soup for dinner because it was so cold outside."
adj
1
Saying nothing; silent, especially about a secret.
"Keep mum about the surprise party."
"She stayed mum on the details of the deal."
"The children stayed mum when the teacher asked who had moved the chairs."
How to use mum
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe British word for mother, or an adjective meaning silent/keeping quiet.
UK vs US
"Mum" is British/Irish/Australian usage; American English typically uses "mom."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
keep mum
stay mum
mum's the word
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Word forms
- Plural
- mums
- Third person singular
- mums
- Past tense
- mummed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My _____ picks me up from school on Fridays.
Etymology
Probably an abbreviation of "mummy," related to "mama" and "mom."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “mum” mean?
The word “mum” means mother — the common British and Irish term. In plain terms, the British word for mother, or an adjective meaning silent/keeping quiet.
How do you pronounce “mum”?
“Mum” is pronounced muhm (/mʌm/ in IPA).
How do you use “mum” in a sentence?
Here is “mum” used in a sentence: “My mum picks me up from school on Fridays.”
What part of speech is “mum”?
Depending on how it is used, “mum” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “mum” a common word?
“Mum” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “mum” have?
“Mum” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: mother — the common British and Irish term.
What is the difference between mum and mom?
Mum and mom mean exactly the same thing: an informal, affectionate word for one's mother. The difference is regional spelling and pronunciation. Mum is standard in British and Irish English, while mom is the usual American form. Australians and New Zealanders also say mum, following the British pattern rather than the American one.
Is mum formal or informal?
Mum is informal and warm, the everyday word children and adults use for their mother in speech and casual writing. In formal contexts, such as official documents or respectful third-person reference, mother is the standard choice. You would say 'my mum' to friends but 'my mother' in a formal letter or interview.
Does mum have another meaning?
Yes. Besides meaning mother, mum is also an adjective meaning silent, as in the phrase 'keep mum,' which means to stay quiet about something. Separately, mum is a common informal name for the chrysanthemum flower. Context makes clear which sense is intended, since the three uses rarely overlap.
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