rum

1 of 2

noun

ˈrəm 

1

: an alcoholic beverage distilled from a fermented cane product (such as molasses)

2

: alcoholic liquor

the demon rum

rum

2 of 2

adjective

rummer; rummest

1

British, informal + somewhat old-fashioned : strange, odd

Now writing is rum trade and eyes are rum things, and what is all right one day is all wrong the next.

—Angela Thirkell

2

British, informal + somewhat old-fashioned : difficult, dangerous

Synonyms of rum

Noun

• liquor
• alcohol
• booze
• drink
• bottle

Adjective

• strange
• funny
• bizarre
• weird
• peculiar
• curious
• odd
• erratic
• eccentric
• crazy
• remarkable
• unusual
• queer
• wild

Examples of rum in a Sentence

Noun

a fiery sermon on the evils of demon rum

Adjective

They're a pretty rum lot.

she wears staid business suits, but prefers some quite rum knickers underneath

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Order the Atlantic Waters (coconut rum, coconut purée, blue curaçao, and lime) with your toes in the sand. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 May 2026

Fans of spritz cocktails will love the Bubbly Bon Voyage, a refreshing tall drink with notes of vanilla and passion fruit, while the Cast Off is a simple riff on the classic Champagne cocktail featuring Flor de Caña rum, honey and lime juice. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 18 May 2026

Adjective

After dinner, rum-centric cocktails are served up nightly with vibey tunes and a view of the Grove that stretches all the way to the Bay. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026

To drink, there are rum-focused cocktails and wines from Callahan. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably short for obsolete rumbullion rum

Adjective

of uncertain origin

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rum

• bay rum
• bay-rum tree
• Jamaica rum

Rhymes for rum

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

Kids Definition

rum

noun

ˈrəm

: an alcoholic liquor made from molasses or sugarcane