mum
mum
Pronunciation
/mʌm/
mum
/mʌm/
Word Form Variations
mum (singular noun, informal)
mums (plural noun, informal)
Mum (proper noun, informal, used as a name or direct address for one's mother)
mummy (singular noun, informal, often used by young children, or as a term of endearment)
mummies (plural noun, informal, referring to mothers, especially in a child's context)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: (Informal) A person's mother. This term is a common, affectionate, and informal way to refer to one's female parent, particularly in British English and Commonwealth countries.
Synonyms: mother, mama, ma, mummy (informal, often used by children), mater (dated/formal)
Antonyms: father, dad, papa
Definition 2: (Botany, informal, plural: mums) A chrysanthemum. This refers to a popular genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, known for their colorful and often showy blooms.
Synonyms: chrysanthemum
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a specific plant type)
Adjective
Definition 1: (Informal) Silent or quiet, often used in the phrase "keep mum" to mean to remain silent about something, especially a secret.
Synonyms: silent, quiet, discreet, secretive, close-mouthed, reticent
Antonyms: loud, talkative, vocal, outspoken
Examples of Use
Books:
"My mum always said, 'You can tell a lot about a person by their shoes.'" (From Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman)
"She was going to tell Mum everything, just as soon as she got home." (From The Midnight Library by Matt Haig)
Newspapers:
"Local mum raises thousands for charity with daring skydive." (The Guardian)
"Parenting Column: Balancing work and life as a new mum." (The Times)
Online Publications:
"Celebrity mums share their postnatal fitness routines." (From Popsugar UK)
"How to support your mum on Mother's Day." (From Netmums)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television (Dialogue): "Don't tell Mum I stayed out late, alright?" (Common phrase in British sitcoms like Gavin & Stacey)
Film (Dialogue): "Thanks, Mum, for everything." (Often heard in films depicting family relationships, e.g., Paddington)
Music (Song Title/Lyrics): "Mama, I'm Coming Home" by Ozzy Osbourne (While "mama" is used, "mum" is a common equivalent in many contexts and this song evokes the sentiment of returning to one's mother).
Social Media (User Post): "Just spent a lovely afternoon with my mum, always the best company! #familytime" (Instagram)
General Public Discourse:
"I'm going over to my mum's house for Sunday lunch." (Everyday conversation)
"My mum's cooking is the best, hands down." (Casual conversation among friends)
"Are you going to be mum about what happened?" (Informal question about keeping a secret)
10 Quotes Using Mum
"A mum is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity." (Washington Irving)
"My mum always said, 'Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.'" (Paraphrased from Forrest Gump, originally "My mama always said...")
"I rang my mum and said, 'I'm coming home.'" (Adele, in an interview about her career)
"You're an artist, and I'm a mum. That's where we meet." (From the film Billy Elliot)
"A mum's hug lasts long after she lets go." (Author Unknown)
"My mum used to say that there's no point in being rich if you can't buy your kids a happy childhood." (From the TV series Shameless)
"I asked my mum if I was a beautiful baby. She said, 'You were a baby.'" (Joan Rivers)
"Behind every good kid is a great mum." (Author Unknown)
"My mum taught me that it’s okay to cry. It’s important to feel your feelings." (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson)
"The moment a child is born, the mum is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mum never." (Rajneesh)
Etymology
The word "mum" actually has a few different origins, depending on which meaning you're talking about!
"Mum" as in Mother:
This "mum" is an informal and affectionate short form of "mummy." Its origin is thought to come from the very first sounds babies make, like "ma" or "mama." These simple, repeating sounds are found in words for "mother" across many different languages around the world. So, it's basically a "baby talk" word that became a common way to refer to one's mother. The first recorded use of "mum" in this sense was around 1823."Mum" as in Silent:
This "mum" comes from an older Middle English word, "momme," which appeared around the 1300s. It was meant to sound like a closed-mouth, inarticulate sound, like "mmm," which suggests an unwillingness or inability to speak. It's connected to the word "mummer," someone who performs in a "dumb show" (a play without words). The idea is that if you're "mum," your lips are sealed. The phrase "mum's the word," meaning to keep something secret, came from this sense of silence."Mum" as in Chrysanthemum:
This is simply a shortened version of the word "chrysanthemum." It came into use later, around 1915, as a casual way to refer to the flower. The word "chrysanthemum" itself comes from ancient Greek words meaning "golden flower."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mum
Mum's the word: This means to keep something a secret; don't tell anyone.
Keep mum: To remain silent about something.
My mum always said...: A common way to introduce advice or wisdom passed down from one's mother.
Like a mum: To act in a nurturing, protective, or caring way, similar to a mother.
Mum and dad: A common informal term for parents.
Smell like mums: Referring to the distinct scent of chrysanthemums, often associated with autumn or certain floral notes.
Run it past your mum: To seek approval or opinion from one's mother (or a motherly figure).
Mum-of-the-year: An informal compliment for a mother who is doing an exceptional job.
A mum's touch: Referring to a gentle, comforting, or skilled way of doing something, especially in caregiving.
Mum on the details: Remaining silent or unforthcoming about specific information.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mum from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
