What does mug mean?
A mug is a substantial cup for drinking hot or cold beverages, typically with a handle and made of ceramic, glass, or plastic. In informal British and American English, the same word can also mean a person's face, as in “a familiar mug,” and a person who is being robbed. As a verb, “to mug” means to attack and rob someone, especially in a public place; it can also mean simply to steal from someone. These meanings are related to the image of a face and, in the slang sense of being targeted, to the idea of being subjected to a mugging. The word is especially useful because it moves easily between an ordinary household object and humorous or threatening slang, while its verb form is strongly associated with crime rather than formal or literary usage.
A large cup for drinking, usually with a handle. Informally, it can also mean a person's face or a person who is being robbed.
"The server brought her a steaming mug of coffee."
The face and victim senses are informal; the drinking-vessel sense is neutral in standard British and American English.
To attack and rob someone, especially in a public place. More broadly and informally, it can mean to steal from someone.
"The video shows two suspects mugging a customer in the shopping district."
This use is informal and strongly associated with robbery, though it may describe theft more generally in casual speech.
The standard plural of the noun meaning a drinking vessel, face, or robbery victim.
"The café sells colorful mugs and ceramic cups."
The word can name a cup, a face, and—less pleasantly—the person being robbed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mug come from?
The noun meaning a drinking vessel comes from Old English mugge, an inherited Germanic word. Related forms include Old Norse mugga, Old Saxon mugga, and Old High German mugga. The later slang sense for a face developed alongside uses of the word in comparisons to the shape or appearance of a drinking vessel, while the verb meaning to attack and rob belongs to later informal English.
Related word forms
How mug is actually used
The vessel meaning is neutral and everyday. The meanings referring to a face, a robbery victim, or stealing are informal; the verb is especially associated with street robbery but is also used broadly for theft.
Easily confused with mug
A mug is a drinking vessel, while muck can refer to dirt, a mess, or something considered worthless.