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Definition of mugshot

mugshot

/ˈmʌɡ.ʃɑːt/
mug · shot
Plural:mugshots
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mugshot Lexical Profile

mugshot Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An official photograph of a person's face, typically showing both front and profile views, taken by the police after an arrest.

Example

"The detective reviewed the suspect's mugshot before conducting the interview."

2

Any small, informal portrait photograph showing only a person's head and shoulders, such as on an identification badge or in a directory.

Example

"Every employee had to submit a small mugshot for the new security badges."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for mugshot

• Nearby Words

muggle
muggy
mughal
mugshot
mugwort
muhabura
muhuri river

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American English, combining the older slang term 'mug' (meaning 'face', likely derived from 18th-century drinking mugs shaped like grotesque faces) with 'shot' in the sense of a photograph.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mugshot. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mugshot
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