rum

1 of 2

noun

ˈrəm 

1

: an alcoholic beverage distilled from a fermented cane product (such as molasses)

2

: alcoholic liquor

the demon rum

rum

2 of 2

adjective

rummer; rummest

1

British, informal + somewhat old-fashioned : strange, odd

Now writing is rum trade and eyes are rum things, and what is all right one day is all wrong the next.

—Angela Thirkell

2

British, informal + somewhat old-fashioned : difficult, dangerous

Synonyms of rum

Noun

• liquor
• alcohol
• booze
• drink
• bottle

Adjective

• strange
• funny
• bizarre
• weird
• peculiar
• curious
• odd
• erratic
• eccentric
• crazy
• remarkable
• unusual
• queer
• wild

Examples of rum in a Sentence

Noun

a fiery sermon on the evils of demon rum

Adjective

They're a pretty rum lot.

she wears staid business suits, but prefers some quite rum knickers underneath

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Its most expensive is the piña colada (rum, pineapple, lime, cinnamon syrup and coconut cream) for $14. — Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

Sometimes the distillery team, led by head blender Meghan Ireland, goes the more traditional route of finding casks previously used to age spirits like rum for the secondary maturation. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Sep. 2026

Adjective

It is made from 100 percent rye grain that has been wood and peat smoked, and aged in ex-bourbon and new American oak barrels before being finished in ex-rum casks. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

After dinner, rum-centric cocktails are served up nightly with vibey tunes and a view of the Grove that stretches all the way to the Bay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably short for obsolete rumbullion rum

Adjective

of uncertain origin

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rum

• bay rum
• bay-rum tree
• Jamaica rum

Rhymes for rum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

rum

noun

ˈrəm

: an alcoholic liquor made from molasses or sugarcane