mum

1 of 5

adjective

ˈməm 

: silent

keep mum

mum

2 of 5

verb

mummed; mumming

intransitive verb

1

: to perform in a pantomime

2

: to go about merrymaking in disguise during festivals

mum

3 of 5

noun (1)

: a strong ale or beer

mum

4 of 5

chiefly British spelling of mom

mum

5 of 5

noun

: chrysanthemum

Synonyms of mum

Adjective

• speechless
• silent
• mute
• muted

Examples of mum in a Sentence

Adjective

I'd like to know how much they paid, but they've been mum on that subject.

kept mum about the surprise bridal shower

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Moreno is mum about what transpired at the reunion, which airs on Monday, August 31, but says that Dean approached her in the hallway to clear the air. — Paula Mejía, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

The president was mum, however, on where the PAC would intervene ahead of the midterm elections. — Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Verb

The former House speaker was also pressed on her opinion about lawmakers viewed as the party’s top picks for a 2028 presidential candidate, but was mum on the idea, only offering her praise. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026

Despite the space agency staying relatively mum about the finer details of its plan, a former senior NASA official, speaking anonymously, believes there’s reason for optimism. — David W. Brown, Scientific American, 31 Mar. 2026

Noun

About the latter the seamlessly professional staff stays conclusively mum, but know that there have been plenty here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026

Think orange marigolds, yellow goldenrod, and deep maroon and violet mums. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

• keep/stay mum
• mum's the word

Rhymes for mum

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

Kids Definition

mum

1 of 3 adjective

ˈməm 

: silent sense 1

keep mum

mum

2 of 3 noun

: chrysanthemum

mum

3 of 3

chiefly British variant of mom