The meaning of MUM is silent. How to use mum in a sentence.

Syncope applies to the base so that the first syllable, mum, contains all of the first morpheme and some of the second.

Mom is more common in American English, while mum is more common in British English. The charts below show the relative usage of mum vs. mom in both language communities.

Definition of mum noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the word mum, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Discover everything about the word "MUM" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide.

Jul 22, 2025 · ‘Mom’ is rooted in the American adoption of “mam” and “mamma,” both used in Middle and Early Modern English. ‘Mum’ stems from “mummy,” a diminutive of “mother” …

Used as a command to stop speaking. Say nothing of the secret you know: Mum's the word on the surprise party. [Middle English mom, mum, perhaps imitative of closing one's lips.] 1. To …

Silent; not speaking. Used as a command to stop speaking. To wear a mask or costume in fun; specif., to act as a mummer at Christmastime. To go merrymaking in a mask or disguise …

mum in British English (mʌm ) noun mainly British an informal word for mother 1