mulling

¹ American  

[muhl-ing] / ˈmʌl ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of reflecting or ruminating carefully on something (often followed byover ).

   After reading that book on simplifying life, I’ve been doing some heavy mulling and pondering.

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adjective

1. reflecting or ruminating carefully on something.

   News hound, artist, analyst, or mulling philosopher—all will find this man’s story an unparalleled feast.

mulling ² American  

[muhl-ing] / ˈmʌl ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or process of heating wine, cider, ale, etc., sweetening it, and flavoring it with spices.

   Their gourmet spice blends carry the strong flavor needed for the mulling of wines, ciders, or juices.

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Etymology

Origin of mulling¹

First recorded in 1885–90; mull ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; mull ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Origin of mulling²

mull ² ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mulling

Vance is expected to run but hasn't made an official decision, and aides insist that he's still mulling it over.

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

In Kyiv, which is home to some three million people, residents have begun mulling what to do if that happens again.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

For 20 minutes I lay alone, in the dark, mulling over what I’d been told.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

There was the time, for instance, when a friend was mulling over a family challenge, and I thought I had the absolute perfect solution for juggling her personal desires with her caregiving commitments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

I’d spent the last few nights mulling over what I’d say to Momma and then praying the right words would be enough.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

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