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

One, a Kentucky city has made a big name for itself by cooking mutton barbecue. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026

Political smack talk with a side of Kentucky mutton and pork. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

Dominic Sessa, the star of the film, sported his Bourdain-esque curls (absent were the accompanying mutton chops) and swirled a glass of red wine while tucked into one of the massive banquettes. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 July 2026

An enormous double mutton chop, rubbed with a sweet and aromatic spice blend, and split lengthwise like a scientific specimen to display its rosy pink interior, is inspired by Chinese cumin lamb. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 26 July 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"