mug — a large cup, typically cylindrical with a handle and used without a saucer
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a large cup, typically cylindrical with a handle and used without a saucer
Pronunciation (IPA): /mʌɡ/
Example Sentences
- My boss drinks at least ten mugs of coffee a day - no wonder he's always jittery!
- The tourist got mugged but the thief only found candy and tissues in his wallet.
- She mugged shamelessly for the camera during her sister's wedding ceremony.
mug
NOUN[/mʌɡ/]
a large cup, typically cylindrical with a handle and used without a saucer

He sips coffee from a big ceramic mug on a lazy Sunday morning.

A warm hug with a mug on the rug!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word emerged in the mid-18th century, originally referring to a ceramic cup with a face carved or molded into it. The resemblance to human faces led to the term being applied to the face itself, and subsequently acquired the meaning of robbery or assault, likely from the phrase 'to mug someone' (to attack and rob).
Breakdown
face-shaped drinking vessel (ceramic cup with facial features) → face (the human visage) → robbery (to attack and rob someone, with 'mug' referring to one's face as an identifying feature)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss drinks at least ten mugs of coffee a day - no wonder he's always jittery!”
“The tourist got mugged but the thief only found candy and tissues in his wallet.”
“She mugged shamelessly for the camera during her sister's wedding ceremony.”
“The police showed me a mug shot, but honestly, all criminals look the same to me.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.