mug
mug Lexical Profile
mug Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, typically cylindrical cup with a handle, used for serving hot drinks without a saucer.
"She poured herself a fresh mug of coffee before starting her morning work."
A person's face, especially when considered ugly, comical, or when photographed for official police records.
"The veteran boxer had an intimidating mug that showed the scars of previous fights."
British A person who is easily deceived, fooled, or taken advantage of.
"They thought he was a mug for paying full price, but he knew the antique's true value."
• verb
To attack and rob someone in a public place.
"He was mugged in the alleyway on his way home from the train station."
To make exaggerated or comical facial expressions, especially for an audience or a camera.
"The child continued to mug for the camera, much to the amusement of the entire family."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word is highly polysemous; while it primarily denotes a drinking cup in standard English, it frequently functions as informal slang for a face or a gullible person, and as a verb meaning to rob.
• Rhymes for mug
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Of Scandinavian origin, likely related to Swedish 'mugg' (drinking vessel). The slang sense of 'face' arose in the 18th century from drinking mugs shaped like grotesque faces, which later gave rise to the verb sense of attacking someone in the face, and thus 'to rob'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.