adjective
Usage
The noun mucus is often misspelled mucous . Mucous can only be correctly used as an adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mucous
1640–50; < Latin mūcōsus slimy, mucous, equivalent to mūc ( us ) snot ( see mucus) + -ōsus -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The EPA says methyl methacrylate is irritating to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes in humans.
From Barron's ● May 24, 2026
William, who Rona chirpily informs us has “a rare mucous membrane disorder,” is happy to get “lugubrious”: “Meaning extremely sad and droopy? A topic I am all too familiar with.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025
The fluid consistency of milk may allow the virus to make greater contact with mucous membranes in the throat, while cheese likely provides less exposure time for infection to begin.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2025
Inhalation of selenium vapors may also cause dizziness, fatigue, irritation of the mucous membranes and respiratory effects.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2025
At Easter high mass I was dizzied by the mucous perfume of white flowers at the celebration of rebirth.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
