mutton

¹ American  

[muht-n] / ˈmʌt n /

noun

1. the flesh of sheep, especially full-grown or more mature sheep, used as food.

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mutton ² American  

[muht-n] / ˈmʌt n /

noun

Printing.

1. em.

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mutton British  

/ ˈmʌtən /

noun

1. the flesh of sheep, esp of mature sheep, used as food

2. an older woman dressed up to look young

3. printing another word for em Compare nut

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Other Word Forms

• muttony adjective

Etymology

Origin of mutton¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English moton “sheep,” from Old French, from Celtic; compare Breton maout “wether,” Middle Irish molt, Welsh mollt

Origin of mutton²

First recorded in 1935–40; code term, coined to differentiate the pronunciation of em quad from en quad

Explanation

If you order mutton at a restaurant, you'll be served a kind of meat that comes from an adult sheep. It's not, however, very common to see mutton on a menu. Use mutton when you're talking about eating the flesh of a sheep. In the United States, it's more common to dine on lamb, which is meat that comes from a baby sheep, although mutton is a popular dish in other parts of the world. Mutton has been in use since the 13th century, from an Old French root word, moton, "mutton, ram, or sheep." In the 1860s, long sideburns called mutton chops were a popular style of facial hair.

Example Sentences

“They want safety, and I understand that,” he said, as waiters bustled past with plates of yogurt-marinated mutton and chicken kebabs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Alongside heaping plates of spiced rice — filled with generous chunks of tender mutton and buttery marrow and slivers of fried golden onions — were bowls of a humble condiment.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

In the 19th century, children gobbled chiles and mutton and turnips and jellied pig’s brain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

The story goes that the mutton galouti kebabs that have defined the city amongst visitors were created to feed an ageing nawab who had lost his teeth.

From BBC • Dec. 19, 2025

I filled the bucket with potato scraps and mutton fat, and put the pie on top.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson