mum
4 of 5chiefly British spelling of mom
Synonyms
Examples of mum in a Sentence
Elizabeth Paton, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Carriers are notoriously mum about why their networks go down.
—Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 22 Feb. 2024
In the months and weeks before the newest season dropped, FX was characteristically mum on just who the starry cast of AHS alums and newbies alike are playing.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 21 Sep. 2023
As for the possible future H-E-B, the company purchased the land at The Shops at Chisholm Trail Ranch in March 2023 but has been mum about its plans.
—Matt Leclercq, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2024
Even those who initially supported the commission’s work, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who hailed the panel as a historic step forward for Black Americans, have largely been mum about implementing its recommendations.
—Emmanuel Felton, Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2024
And then there are the silent Republicans, figures like Governors Ron DeSantis and Glenn Youngkin—those who have been deafeningly mum on January 6.
—Alex Thomas, The New Republic, 7 Apr. 2023
The Pentagon wants everyone to know the X-37B spaceplane exists, but military officials are mum about the details of the vehicle's missions.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023
No word on Williams Stevens was similarly mum on Grant Williams’s status as a restricted free agent.
—Adam Himmelsbach, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2023
Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
When the school suggested their blender was the culprit, Dave and his roommates agreed, keeping mum about the candle.
—Ilana Frost, Peoplemag, 2 Apr. 2024
Beyond that hint, Russian officials have kept mum about the talks.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 30 Mar. 2024
Speaking of food, Benson is keeping mum on the type of cuisine the restaurant will serve but said its going to be better than standard bar food.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2024
Democratic senators did not make endorsements in Arizona's U.S. Senate race while incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., was mum about seeking reelection.
—Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Some advertisers such as Amazon have stayed mum on any plans.
—Wyatte Grantham-Philips, The Denver Post, 9 Feb. 2024
Ohtani’s biggest sponsors, including New Balance, have remained largely mum about the gambling news involving Ohtani’s ex-interpreter.
—Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Related article ‘Is my mum dead or not?’: Son fears mother may be among Kenya starvation cult victims
Of those, only 34 positive DNA matches to surviving family members have been made, said Kenya’s chief pathologist, Johansen Oduor.
—David McKenzie, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Adjective
Middle English mom, momme, probably imitative of a sound made with closed lips
Verb
Middle English mommen, to mumble, perform (a mummer's play), probably in part from mom, in part from Middle French momer to go masked
Noun (1)
German Mumme
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (1)
circa 1623, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1891, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing mum
Dictionary Entries Near mum
Cite this Entry
“Mum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mum. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
mum
1 of 3 adjectivemum
2 of 3 nounmum
3 of 3chiefly British variant of mom
More from Merriam-Webster on mum
Nglish: Translation of mum for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of mum for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mum
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