# mug

> English word · Noun · IPA /mʌɡ/ · frequency rank #11,072

## Definitions
1. A large cup for beverages, usually having a handle and used without a saucer.
2. The face.
3. A gullible or easily cheated person.
4. A stupid or contemptible person.
5. A criminal.
6. A mug shot.

## Etymology
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”).

## Easily confused with
- **my** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-my)
- **MW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mw)
- **MV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mv)
- **Mx** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mx)
- **mum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mum)
- **MVP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mvp)
- **mun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mun)
- **Mya** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mya)
- **muh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-muh)
- **must** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-must)
- **mute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mute)
- **muse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-muse)
- **musk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-musk)
- **mule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mule)
- **mums** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mums)
- **muir** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-muir)
- **Musa** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-musa)
- **mush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mush)
- **mull** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mull)
- **mutt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mug-vs-mutt)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/mug