mug

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈməg 

1

: a cylindrical drinking cup

2

a

: the face or mouth of a person

b

: grimace

c

: mug shot

3

a chiefly British

(1)

: fool, blockhead

(2)

: a person easily deceived

b

: punk, thug

mugful

ˈməg-ˌfu̇l 

noun

mug

2 of 4

verb (1)

mugged; mugging

intransitive verb

: to pose or make faces especially to attract attention or for a camera

transitive verb

: photograph

mug

3 of 4

verb (2)

mugged; mugging

transitive verb

1

: to assault usually with intent to rob

2

: to attack suddenly

got mugged in the press by his colleagues

muggee

ˌmə-ˈgē 

noun

muggee

4 of 4

noun (2)

mug·​gee ˌməgˈē 

plural -s

: a person who is mugged

Synonyms of mug

Noun (1)

• cup

Verb (1)

• grimace
• scowl

Examples of mug in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a collection of coffee mugs

He drank a mug of coffee.

They're taking you for a mug.

Verb (1)

every time their picture was snapped, both children mugged by sticking out their tongues or scrunching up their faces

mugging captured criminals for the police records

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The existing Illy Art Collection of cups and mugs, by his account, is the largest of its kind in the world. — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

This style is designed to rest on the lip of a mug or teapot but may not be compatible with all cup sizes. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026

Besides the classic drinking glasses, Anthropologie’s Halloween and fall designs are also available on other products from the Icon collection, such as drinking tumblers, glass mugs, and wine glass charms. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 July 2026

The two companies also teamed up on new reusable mug and thermos options, as well as a hat. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Verb (2)

probably from earlier mug to strike in the face, perhaps from mug entry 1

and Noun (2)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1856, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1969, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mug

• a mug's game
• mug's game
• mug shot
• mug up

Rhymes for mug

• chug
• doug
• drug
• dug
• hug
• jug
• lug
• plug
• pug
• rug
• rugg
• shrug

Kids Definition

mug

1 of 3 noun

ˈməg 

1

: a usually large drinking cup with a handle

2

: the face or mouth of a person

3

: punk entry 1 sense 1, thug

mug

2 of 3 verb

mugged; mugging

1

: to make faces especially to attract attention : grimace

2

: photograph entry 2

mug

3 of 3 verb

mugged; mugging

: to assault especially with the intention of robbing

mugger noun

Legal Definition

mug

transitive verb

mugged; mugging

: to assault (an individual) usually with intent to rob