verb
mummify
MUM-ih-fy
Mummify (verb) means to turn a dead body into a mummy by preserving it. Example: “Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead with great care.”
verb
1
To turn a dead body into a mummy by preserving it.
"Ancient Egyptians mummified their dead with great care."
"The museum explains how priests would mummify a body."
"They hoped to mummify the animal so it would last for centuries."
2
To become a mummy.
"In the dry cave, the body slowly began to mummify."
"Bodies left in very dry air can mummify naturally."
How to use mummify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo preserve a dead body as a mummy.
When to use it
The word is common in history, archaeology, and everyday talk about ancient Egypt.
Memory tip
Embalm is the broader word, and mummify names one kind of preservation.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
mummify a body
mummify the dead
mummified remains
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The museum explains how priests would _____ a body.
Etymology
The verb was formed in English from mummy plus the ending -ify. French later developed a similar word, momifier.
Rhymes for mummify
See all rhymes for mummify →Frequently asked questions
What does mummify mean?
To mummify is to preserve a dead body so that it becomes a mummy. It can also mean to become a mummy.
What is the past tense of mummify?
The past tense is mummified. The present participle is mummifying.
Is mummify transitive?
It is mostly transitive, as in mummify a body, but it can also be used without an object to mean become a mummy.
What is the meaning of mummify?
"mummify" (verb) means to turn a dead body into a mummy by preserving it.
