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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

mutton

MUHTN

Mutton (noun) means the meat of an adult sheep, used as food. Example: “The stew was made with slow-cooked mutton and root vegetables.”

noun
1
The meat of an adult sheep, used as food.
"The stew was made with slow-cooked mutton and root vegetables."
"Mutton has a stronger flavour than lamb because the animal is older."
2
A sheep itself, especially one raised for meat.
"The farmer kept a small flock of mutton for the local market."

How to use mutton

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSheep meat, especially from an older animal, as opposed to lamb which comes from a young one.

Common mistake

Mutton and lamb both come from sheep, but lamb is the meat of a young animal and has a milder taste; mutton comes from an adult sheep and tastes stronger.

Common pairings
leg of mutton mutton stew mutton chop

Word forms

muttons plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The stew was made with slow-cooked _____ and root vegetables.

Etymology

From Old French mouton ("sheep"), tracing back to a Gaulish word for a ram or wether — the same root that gives French "mouton" today.

Origin: Old French

Related words

Rhymes for mutton

See all rhymes for mutton →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mutton” mean?

The word “mutton” means the meat of an adult sheep, used as food. In plain terms, sheep meat, especially from an older animal, as opposed to lamb which comes from a young one.

How do you pronounce “mutton”?

“Mutton” is pronounced MUHTN (/ˈmʌt(ə)n/ in IPA).

How do you use “mutton” in a sentence?

Here is “mutton” used in a sentence: “The stew was made with slow-cooked mutton and root vegetables.”

What part of speech is “mutton”?

“Mutton” is a noun.

Where does the word “mutton” come from?

The word “mutton” comes from Old French. From Old French mouton ("sheep"), tracing back to a Gaulish word for a ram or wether — the same root that gives French "mouton" today.

How many meanings does “mutton” have?

“Mutton” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the meat of an adult sheep, used as food.

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