[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/mum/)

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# mum

noun (mum, mums); adjective (mum — silent, informal); verb (mum — act in a mime, old)

«mum» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Mum is the British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand word for mother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#m1)
2. «Keep mum» means keep quiet and say nothing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#m2)
3. (casual) Children shout «Mum!» or «Mu-um!» to call or complain; «mummy» is for small children, «mam» in Ireland, Wales and northern England. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#m3)
4. (UK slang) «Your mum» is a playground put-down or joke; it is rude and not about anybody's real mother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#m4)
5. (formal) «Mother», «parent» or «guardian» is used in official writing: «a parent or guardian must sign». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#m5)
6. A mum is also a short name for a chrysanthemum flower (US). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#m6)

### In the lessons

a person in the story who buys, gives, bakes or shares things; in everyday life children call their mother Mum (Mom in the USA and Canada, Mam in Ireland); in casual talk «me mum», «my mum'll kill me»; in the exam voice «the mother» or «a parent»; phrases «Mum and Dad», «keep mum», «Mother's Day» (Mum's day), «mum's the word», «stay-at-home mum»

### Examples

- Mum bought 6 apples. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x1)
- Her mum gave her 2 pounds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x2)
- Mum baked 3 trays of 12 buns. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x3)
- Tom helps his mum carry 4 bags. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x4)
- Mum, can I go to Lily's house? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x5)
- My mum and dad came to the school play. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x6)
- Keep mum about the surprise party! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x7)
- Ask your mum if you can stay for tea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x8)
- muuum where's my other shoe (casual) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x9)
- me mum'll kill me if I'm late again, it's 5 to 6 (casual, UK) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x10)
- Mum's the word, nobody tell him about the cake. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x11)
- The pupil's mother purchased 6 apples and subsequently 4 more; determine the aggregate quantity purchased. (formal exam) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x12)
- “Good morning, mum,” says Jack, as bold as brass, “could you be so good as to give me something to eat?” [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/#x13)

### Note

A person who acts, not a number. Same as mother or mom (US, Canada) or mam (Ireland). No operation clue by itself. Write «Mum» with a capital when it is used as a name: «Thanks, Mum.» but «my mum». «Keep mum» and «mum's the word» mean keep a secret. «Me mum» (casual UK, Ireland, Australia) = my mum. «Your mum» jokes are insults, never facts. Trap: when counting people at a table, Mum counts as one person too.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mum» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mum/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mum» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mum.html) on Mova free.