mug

Meaning

Noun

1. A large cup for beverages, usually having a handle and used without a saucer.
2. (derogatory, often, slang) The face.
3. (derogatory, slang) A gullible or easily cheated person.
4. (Australia, Hong-Kong, Ireland, New-Zealand, Singapore, UK, derogatory, slang) A stupid or contemptible person.
5. (slang) A criminal.
6. (slang) A mug shot.

Verb

1. (Ireland, UK, obsolete, transitive) To strike in the face.
2. (transitive) To assault for the purpose of robbery.
3. (intransitive) To exaggerate a facial expression for communicative emphasis; to make a face, to pose, as for photographs or in a performance, in an exaggerated or affected manner.
4. (transitive) To photograph for identification; to take a mug shot of.
5. (Australia, Hong-Kong, Ireland, New-Zealand, Singapore, UK, slang) To learn or review a subject as much as possible in a short time; cram.

Adj

1. (archaic) Easily fooled, gullible.
2. (slang) Uninteresting or unpleasant.

Synonyms

cup

face

tankard

jug

fool

countenance

beaker

jar

🫙

glass

pot

sucker

visage

gull

chump

soft touch

kisser

mark

tumbler

fall guy

mugful

patsy

phiz

simpleton

vessel

mask

😷

large cup

vase

assault

swot

trap

🪤

puss

grimace

physiognomy

muggins

muzzle

smiler

flask

flagon

feature

chub

billy

fathead

chalice

loot

examination

can

bereave

attack

👊

loon

klutz

Translations

Becher

boccale

taza

jarro

beker

Krug

caneca

chope

agresser

Visage

κούπα

gotto

mug

tassa

Pronounced as (IPA)

/mʌɡ/

Etymology

Cognate with Swedish: mugg

Cognate with Norwegian: mugge

Cognate with Danish: mugge

Cognate with Low German: mokke, mukke

Cognate with Dutch: mok

Cognate with Old English: muga

Cognate with Old Norse: múgr

Cognate with Middle English: mug

In summary

Early 16th century (originally Scots and northern English, denoting "earthenware, pot, jug"), of unknown origin, perhaps from North Germanic (compare Swedish mugg (“mug, jug”), Norwegian mugge (“pitcher, open can for warm drinks”), Danish mugge), or Low German mokke, mukke (“mug”), German Low German Muck (“drinking cup”), Dutch mok (“mug”), also of unknown origin. Perhaps related to Old English muga (“stack”) and Old Norse múgr (“mass, heap (of corn)”). Compare also Middle English mug, mog (“a measure of salt”).