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

But nothing quite compares to the sight of Pierce, in full mutton chops, dancing around in a jazzy revamp of the show’s most iconic number. —Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Apr. 2025

Lamb and Mutton Sheep meat, including lamb (young sheep) and mutton (adult sheep), is a high-quality source of protein and a rich source of creatine. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025

In Indian cuisine, mutton (goat meat) is often marinated in papaya paste to tenderize it before cooking with rice, spices and saffron to make flavorful biryani. —The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

While the term mutton often refers to the meat of an adult sheep in many English-speaking places, in the cuisines of South Asia and the Caribbean, mutton typically refers to goat meat. —Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025

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
• witan
• 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"