mug
Americannoun
-
a drinking cup, usually cylindrical in shape, having a handle, and often of a heavy substance, as earthenware.
-
the quantity it holds.
-
Slang.
-
the face.
-
the mouth.
-
an exaggerated facial expression; grimace, as in acting.
-
a thug, ruffian, or other criminal.
-
-
British Slang. a gullible person; dupe; fool.
verb (used with object)
-
to assault or menace, especially with the intention of robbery.
-
Slang. to photograph (a person), especially in compliance with an official or legal requirement.
verb (used without object)
noun
-
slang a person's face or mouth
get your ugly mug out of here!
-
slang a grimace
-
slang a gullible person, esp one who is swindled easily
-
a worthless activity
verb
-
informal (tr) to attack or rob (someone) violently
-
slang (intr) to pull faces or overact, esp in front of a camera
noun
-
a drinking vessel with a handle, usually cylindrical and made of earthenware
-
Also called: mugful. the quantity held by a mug or its contents
Etymology
Origin of mug
First recorded in 1560–70; probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish mugg, Norwegian, Danish mugge “drinking cup”; sense “face” apparently transferred from cups adorned with grotesque faces; sense “to assault” from earlier pugilistic slang “to strike in the face, fight”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“No, I’m picturing hundreds of your hideous mug menacing the entire world,” Door said.
From Literature
County announced in late December that it would shut down after 139 years, customers of the Original Saugus Cafe began buying up its branded hats, T-shirts, mugs and other merchandise.
From Los Angeles Times
Guthrie ended her “Today” appearance expressing gratitude for her “Today” family and showing off gift mugs from her supporters.
From Los Angeles Times
Insoluble fibers, since they lack that absorptive effect, may cause separation when added to a cup of coffee or settle at the bottom of the mug.
From Salon
Beside Boaz, Daniel tried shifting some of the open books away without knocking off one of the several dirty coffee mugs.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
