mum

¹ American  

[muhm] / mʌm /

adjective

1. silent; not saying a word.

   to keep mum.

---

interjection

1. (used to demand immediate silence.)

idioms

1. mum's the word, do not reveal what you know (about something); keep silent.

   Mum's the word, or the surprise party won't be a surprise.

mum ² American  

[muhm] / mʌm /

Or mumm

verb (used without object)

mummed, mumming

1. to say “mum”; call for silence.

2. to act as a mummer.

---

mum ³ American  

[muhm] / mʌm /

noun

1. chrysanthemum.

---

mum ⁴ American  

[muhm] / mʌm /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. mom.

---

mum ⁵ American  

[muhm] / mʌm /

noun

1. a strong beer or ale, first made in Brunswick, Germany.

---

mum ⁶ American  

[muhm] / mʌm /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. madam.

---

mum ¹ British  

/ mʌm /

adjective

1. keeping information to oneself; silent

---

noun

1. silence or secrecy is to be observed

mum ² British  

/ mʌm /

noun

1. an informal word for mother 1

---

mum ³ British  

/ mʌm /

verb

1. (intr) to act in a mummer's play

---

mum ⁴ British  

/ mʌm /

noun

1. obsolete a type of beer made from cereals, beans, etc

---

Usage

What does mum mean? Mum is an adjective that means keeping quiet. It can also be used by itself to mean Be quiet!This sense of mum is especially used in the expressions keep mum and mum’s the word. In the U.K. and other places, mum is used as a word for mom or madam. It’s also commonly used as a short way of saying chrysanthemum, a type of flower.Example: Mum’s keeping mum—I can’t get a word out of her!

Etymology

Origin of mum¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English momme; imitative

Origin of mum²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mommen, verb use of mum ¹; compare Middle Dutch mommen ”to act the mummer's part”

Origin of mum³

First recorded in 1890–95; shortened form

Origin of mum⁴

First recorded in 1815–25; nursery word; mom

Origin of mum⁵

First recorded in 1630–40; from German Mumme, said to have been named after Christian Mumme, the brewer who made it

Origin of mum⁶

Variant of ma'am

Example Sentences

Chloe, a single mum who also relies on the pantry, said rising prices have made her anxiety "a lot worse".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Willis, 11, said he also enjoyed the workshop, including getting the chance to learn afro hair care skills by practising on his mum Natalie, who was a model at the events.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

A mum who gave up work to care for her disabled daughter who needs constant supervision says unpaid carers feel "used" and have to "fight for everything".

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

They are entitled to about 20 hours of care a week but outside that, the responsibility falls almost entirely on him and Sophia's mum.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The girl is leaning back against her mum and staring straight at the camera.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

Related Words

• bashful