must
must
Pronunciation
IPA phonetic spelling: /mʌst/
mʌst: /m/ /ʌ/ /s/ /t/
Word Form Variations
"Must" primarily functions as a modal verb and, as such, does not typically have singular, plural, or other typical inflections like regular verbs (e.g., no "musts," "musting," "musted"). However, it can also function as a noun or an adjective, in which cases it does have variations.
Modal Verb: must (no variations)
Noun: must (singular), musts (plural)
Adjective: must (no comparative or superlative forms in its common usage)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Modal Verb
1. Obligation or Necessity: To be required or compelled to do something; indicating an essential or unavoidable action. * Synonyms: ought to, should, have to, need to, obliged to * Antonyms: needn't, shouldn't, oughtn't to, mustn't (implies prohibition, not lack of obligation)
2. Strong Probability or Logical Certainty: Indicating a high degree of likelihood or a conclusion that is almost certainly true based on evidence or reasoning. * Synonyms: surely, certainly, undoubtedly, bound to, likely * Antonyms: may, might, could, possibly, conceivably
3. Inevitability or Unavoidable Outcome: To be fated or destined to happen; describing an outcome that cannot be avoided. * Synonyms: bound to, fated to, destined to, inevitable * Antonyms: avoidable, preventable, uncertain, unlikely
Noun
1. Something Essential or Required: An absolute necessity or something that is indispensable. * Synonyms: requirement, necessity, essential, prerequisite, sine qua non * Antonyms: option, luxury, nonessential, extra
2. A New Wine (Unfermented Grape Juice): Grape juice that has been newly pressed but not yet fermented, used in winemaking. * Synonyms: unfermented grape juice, new wine, grape crush * Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific meaning)
Adjective
1. Essential or Indispensable: Describing something that is absolutely necessary or required; not to be missed. * Synonyms: essential, vital, crucial, indispensable, required * Antonyms: optional, unnecessary, nonessential, dispensable
Examples of Use
Books:
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. Must I say more?" (George Orwell, Animal Farm, August 1945)
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." (Often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, though the exact wording is debated, the sentiment is widely known and used in various publications discussing his philosophy)
Newspapers:
"The government must address the rising cost of living to prevent further economic hardship for citizens." (The Daily Nation)
"Climate change: World must act now or face irreversible damage, UN warns." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"Why every home baker must try this sourdough starter recipe." (Serious Eats)
"Digital privacy must be a fundamental right in the age of big data." (Wired)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh..." (From the song "As Time Goes By" in Casablanca)
Television Series: "Winter is coming, and we must be ready." (A recurring theme in HBO's Game of Thrones)
Music (Song Title/Lyric): "The show must go on." (Queen, Innuendo)
Video Games: "A hero must stand ready to face any challenge." (Narration from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
General Public Discourse:
"I must admit, I was a bit surprised by the outcome." (Heard in general conversation)
"That new restaurant is a must-try!" (Word-of-mouth recommendation among friends)
"We absolutely must get together soon." (Casual closing in an email or text message)
"Public transport is a must for reducing urban congestion." (Statement in a community meeting)
10 Quotes Using Must
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." (Often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi)
"The show must go on." (Popular idiom, notably a song by Queen)
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." (Martin Luther King Jr., "Strength to Love")
"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." (Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft)
"Man must endure his going hence, even as his coming hither: Ripeness is all." (William Shakespeare, King Lear)
"You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain." (Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings)
"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately." (Benjamin Franklin, upon signing the Declaration of Independence)
"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star." (Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra)
"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky." (John Masefield, "Sea-Fever")
Etymology
The word "must" has a fascinating journey through time! It's one of those words that has a long history and has shifted its meaning slightly over centuries.
Think of "must" today, and you probably think of something you have to do, something that's necessary or certain. This meaning comes from a very old root.
Its earliest known use in English, dating back to before 900 AD (the Old English period), was as "mōste". This was actually the past tense of an even older word, "mōtan."
The original meaning of "mōtan" (and therefore "mōste" as its past form) was closer to "to be allowed, to be able to, to have the opportunity to," but also "to be compelled to" or "may." So, it already had a mix of meanings related to permission, ability, and obligation.
Over time, the past tense form "mōste" (which became "moste" in Middle English and then "must" in modern English) started being used in the present tense to express a strong sense of obligation or necessity. It essentially took over the job that the original "mōtan" used to do. This happened around the 1300s.
So, in essence, "must" started as a past-tense form of a word that meant something like "to be allowed" or "to have to," and then evolved to primarily mean "to be required" or "to be certainly true." It's a great example of how language can change and adapt over a very long period!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Must
Must-have: Something essential or highly desired.
Must-see: An attraction, movie, or event that is highly recommended.
Must-read: A book, article, or text that is considered essential reading.
Must-try: A food, drink, or experience that is highly recommended.
The show must go on: An idiom meaning that an event or activity should continue despite difficulties.
A must: Something that is absolutely necessary or required.
It must be said: An introductory phrase used to emphasize a point that is important to state.
If you must: Used to reluctantly grant permission or acknowledge an unavoidable action.
Must needs: (Archaic/Formal) Expressing absolute necessity, similar to "needs must."
Needs must: (Often as "needs must when the devil drives") Meaning that something is unavoidable or necessary due to circumstances.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of must from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
