noun
Uncommon
mummy
MUHM-ee
Mummy (noun) means a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt. Example: “The museum's star exhibit is a 3,000-year-old mummy.”
noun
1
A dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt.
"The museum's star exhibit is a 3,000-year-old mummy."
2
British word for mother, especially used by or to young children.
"Mummy, can I have a biscuit?"
How to use mummy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither an embalmed body preserved long-term, or (informally) mother.
UK vs US
"Mummy" (mother) is used in British English; American English uses "mommy."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- mummies
- Third person singular
- mummies
- Past tense
- mummied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum's star exhibit is a 3,000-year-old _____.
Etymology
From Arabic mūmiyāʔ via Persian mumyā ("wax"), passing through Medieval Latin and French into English.
Related words
Rhymes for mummy
See all rhymes for mummy →Frequently asked questions
What does “mummy” mean?
The word “mummy” means a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt. In plain terms, either an embalmed body preserved long-term, or (informally) mother.
How do you pronounce “mummy”?
“Mummy” is pronounced MUHM-ee (/ˈmʌm.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “mummy” in a sentence?
Here is “mummy” used in a sentence: “The museum's star exhibit is a 3,000-year-old mummy.”
What part of speech is “mummy”?
“Mummy” is a noun.
Where does the word “mummy” come from?
The word “mummy” comes from Medieval Latin. From Arabic mūmiyāʔ via Persian mumyā ("wax"), passing through Medieval Latin and French into English.
Is “mummy” a common word?
“Mummy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mummy” have?
“Mummy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, especially as practised in ancient Egypt.
What is the difference between mummy meaning "mother" and mummy meaning an embalmed body?
Mummy as a British word for mother is used affectionately by or to young children, similar to "mommy" in American English, and has nothing to do with the other sense. Mummy meaning an embalmed body refers to a corpse preserved through wrapping and embalming, especially as practiced in ancient Egypt; the two meanings are unrelated homonyms.
Is mummy British or American English for mother?
Mummy is the British word for mother, especially as used by or to young children, while American English typically uses "mommy" in the equivalent context. Both are informal, affectionate childhood terms for a mother.
How were ancient Egyptian mummies preserved?
A mummy is a dead body preserved through embalming and wrapping, a practice especially associated with ancient Egypt, where remains were treated and wound in cloth to prevent decay. This preservation process is what distinguishes a mummy from an ordinary buried corpse.
