mug

1 of 3

noun

1
: a cylindrical drinking cup
2
a
: the face or mouth of a person
b
c
3
a chiefly British
(1)
(2)
: a person easily deceived
b
: punk, thug
mugful noun

mug

2 of 3

verb (1)

mugged; mugging

intransitive verb

: to pose or make faces especially to attract attention or for a camera

mug

3 of 3

verb (2)

mugged; mugging

transitive verb

1
: to assault usually with intent to rob
2
: to attack suddenly
got mugged in the press by his colleagues
muggee noun

Examples of mug in a Sentence

Noun a collection of coffee mugs He drank a mug of coffee. They're taking you for a mug. Verb (1) every time their picture was snapped, both children mugged by sticking out their tongues or scrunching up their faces mugging captured criminals for the police records
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The brand’s advent calendar is a cookie lover’s dream, full of six varieties in an assortment of festive shapes that’ll go great with your morning cup of coffee or a mug of hot cocoa. Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025 As 39% of the United Kingdom populace struggles to heat their homes, Edelstyn and Powell huddle under blankets themselves, trying vainly to warm up with endless mugs of tea. Will Tizard, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 Briana was kicking up her feet and watching Jayden mug for the camera, chubby cheeks raised high in a smile. Jayme Fraser, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 Wearing El’s moody mug, pink dress and blonde wig, the talk show host looked like a spitting image of the telepathic teen. Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mug

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

Verb (2)

probably from earlier mug to strike in the face, perhaps from mug entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1855, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mug was in 1664

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mug. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

mug

1 of 3 noun
1
: a usually large drinking cup with a handle
2
: the face or mouth of a person
3

mug

2 of 3 verb
mugged; mugging
1
: to make faces especially to attract attention : grimace
2

mug

3 of 3 verb
mugged; mugging
: to assault especially with the intention of robbing
mugger noun

Legal Definition

mug

transitive verb
mugged; mugging
: to assault (an individual) usually with intent to rob

More from Merriam-Webster on mug

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