mug shot
Americannoun
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Also called headshot. an identifying photograph of a suspect or criminal, often one of a set showing a frontal view, a profile view, and a view of the back of the head.
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any closeup photograph of someone's face.
noun
Etymology
Origin of mug shot
First recorded in 1945–50
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.
When it didn’t, it was devastating for him because the world saw Paul through his scary mug shot.
From Salon • May 23, 2025
They found the mug shot episode so absurd, Lepere said, that they they were pictured smiling and almost laughing when they were photographed.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2025
The mug shot, taken in 2023, became part of US culture, adorning everything from coffee cups to T-shirts.
From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025
Pieces of his mug shot suit!—is a bit of a homegrown monster.
From Slate • Jul. 19, 2024
He flipped the page and there was Rik's mug shot taken in Miami.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
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.
