mummy

noun

mum·​my ˈmə-mē 

plural mummies

1

a

: a body embalmed or treated for burial with preservatives in the manner of the ancient Egyptians

b

: a body unusually well preserved

2

: one resembling a mummy

Examples of mummy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Archaeologists were stunned after recently discovering one of the greatest works of Western literature placed on top of a mummy in Egypt. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026

Along with exhibits of skeletons, mummies, and Revolutionary War mementos, the museum included an entire floor of dioramas and panoramic paintings. —Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

What kind of music do mummies listen to? —Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 2 May 2026

The archaeologists also noted traces of gold leaf on some of the mummies, suggesting elaborate funerary rituals. —Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mummie powdered parts of a mummified body used as a drug, from Anglo-French mumie, from Medieval Latin mumia mummy, powdered mummy, from Arabic mūmiya bitumen, mummy, from Persian mūm wax

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for mummy

• chummy
• crummy
• dummy
• gummy
• ramie
• rummy
• tummy
• yummy

Kids Definition

mummy

noun

mum·​my

ˈməm-ē

plural mummies

1

: a body prepared for burial in the manner of the ancient Egyptians

2

: an unusually well-preserved body