mug

[muhg]

noun

1. a drinking cup, usually cylindrical in shape, having a handle, and often of a heavy substance, as earthenware.

2. the quantity it holds.

3. Slang.

   1. the face.

   2. the mouth.

   3. an exaggerated facial expression; grimace, as in acting.

   4. a thug, ruffian, or other criminal.

4. British Slang.,  a gullible person; dupe; fool.

verb (used with object)

mugged, mugging 

1. to assault or menace, especially with the intention of robbery.

2. Slang.,  to photograph (a person), especially in compliance with an official or legal requirement.

verb (used without object)

mugged, mugging 

1. Slang.,  to grimace; exaggerate a facial expression, as in acting.

mug

¹

/ mʌɡ /

noun

1. slang,  a person's face or mouth

   get your ugly mug out of here!

2. slang,  a grimace

3. slang,  a gullible person, esp one who is swindled easily

4. a worthless activity

verb

1. informal,  (tr) to attack or rob (someone) violently

2. slang,  (intr) to pull faces or overact, esp in front of a camera

mug

²

/ mʌɡ /

noun

1. a drinking vessel with a handle, usually cylindrical and made of earthenware

2. Also called: mugful. the quantity held by a mug or its contents

Word History and Origins

Origin of mug¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mug¹

C18: perhaps from _mug ¹ , since drinking vessels were sometimes modelled into the likeness of a face

Origin of mug²

C16: probably from Scandinavian; compare Swedish mugg

Example Sentences

Gone are the days of flavoring your morning coffee with a bit of ink, accidentally dipping the corner of the newsprint into a mug while thumbing through the pages.

From Salon

The view itself was nothing to speak of — dumpsters, power lines, the occasional good dog sighting — but the light was generous, forgiving, the kind that makes even a chipped coffee mug glow like stained glass.

From Salon

Its fare was stick-to-the-ribs and elsewhere kind of food that works wonders on a hangover, as did the coffee that was as thick as the meaty ceramic mugs the waiters kept filled.

From Los Angeles Times

Us film fans have stared at his hawkish mug for eons, but I can’t remember ever before seeing him flash a huge, daffy grin.

From Los Angeles Times

"I find mugs give me good luck," he laughs before adding that he tries to stay off social media because it can make him anxious.

From BBC

Related Words

• coffee cup 
• jug