mutton

noun

mut·​ton ˈmə-tᵊn 

: the flesh of a mature sheep used for food

muttony

ˈmə-tᵊn-ē 

ˈmət-nē

adjective

Examples of mutton in a Sentence

a meal of mutton and potatoes

Recent Examples on the Web

Beef, pork, lamb, mutton and other meats are cooked using an open fire or grill. — Zuri Primos june 17, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026

In each encounter, Riley, a chill, hangdog figure with mutton chops and a spray of freckles, was soft-spoken and receptive, curious and unhurried, but also a little elusive when necessary, knowing when to drift away. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 17 May 2026

Sometimes there are pantheras, moreish pan rolls made of crêpes stuffed with spicy mutton mince. — Madhushree Basu Roy, Saveur, 30 Apr. 2026

First made popular in the late 1800s, burgoo typically includes a variety of fresh vegetables and a mixture of mutton, beef, pork, or poultry. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English motoun, mutton, sheep, from Anglo-French mutun ram, sheep, mutton, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish molt wether

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mutton

• leg-of-mutton
• leg-o'-mutton
• mutton dressed as lamb

Rhymes for mutton

• button
• clutton
• glutton
• unbutton

Video

Words of the Year: 1066

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

Kids Definition

mutton

noun

mut·​ton ˈmət-ᵊn 

: the flesh of a mature sheep used for food

Etymology

from French mouton "sheep"