What does mugshot mean?
A mugshot is a photograph of a person's face, especially one taken by police to identify someone involved in an arrest or criminal investigation. The word is informal and now often carries negative associations because such photographs are associated with suspects, offenders, and criminal records. In more general use, a mugshot can refer to any conspicuous or unflattering image of a recognizable person, often implying that the photograph is unflattering or makes the subject look bad. The term is used in journalism, legal contexts, and everyday conversation, and it is typically more blunt and socially loaded than the neutral words “photograph” or “portrait.” It can also refer specifically to a police booking photograph or, more broadly, to a widely circulated image intended to identify or embarrass someone.
nounAn informal term for a photograph of someone's face, especially one taken by police as part of an identification record. The term is also used more broadly for an unflattering or widely circulated photograph of a person.
- An informal photograph of a person's face, especially one taken by police for identification purposes.
- A conspicuous, unflattering, or widely circulated photograph of a person.
"The newspaper published a mugshot of the suspect shortly after the arrest."
"The suspect's mugshot was displayed across local television stations."
"The actor tried to avoid a mugshot that made him look exhausted."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple photographs or to photographs belonging to different people.
"The gallery displayed mugshots of suspects wanted in connection with the robbery."
A mugshot can make a person instantly recognizable to the public, turning an official identification photograph into a symbol of suspicion or notoriety.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
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How mugshot is actually used
The word is informal and most commonly associated with police records, arrests, and criminal identification. In broader use, it can be dismissive or insulting when referring to an unflattering photograph.