What does mut mean?
Mut is a short, distinctly informal British word that means “utterly” or “completely” when used as an adverb. It intensifies adjectives, nouns, or phrases, often giving the statement a dismissive or exasperated tone: a result may be called “mut hopeless,” or a plan “mut impossible.” As an interjection, “Mut!” conveys contempt, annoyance, or rejection without adding a fuller thought. The word is blunt and informal rather than literary, and its brevity can make it sound especially dismissive. Although it resembles standard intensifiers such as “absolutely,” “totally,” and “utterly,” it is far more characteristic of colloquial British speech. The expression is useful for representing emphatic, impatient, or scornful language, but a more neutral intensifier is usually preferable in formal writing.
Utterly; completely; absolutely.
"The signal was mut too weak to reach the other station."
Chiefly British and strongly informal; it often adds an impatient, dismissive, or emphatic tone.
An exclamation expressing contempt, disgust, or dismissal.
"Mut! We should never have agreed to this."
Informal and potentially insulting, especially when directed toward a person.
A single syllable can turn a sentence into an emphatic verdict: “The result was mut hopeless.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mut come from?
Mut appeared in British English during the 19th century, but its precise origin is uncertain. Its earlier history is sufficiently obscure that assigning it to a particular earlier expression would be speculative.
How mut is actually used
Strongly informal and chiefly British. As an intensifier it can sound emphatic or dismissive, while the interjection is openly contemptuous and may be insulting when directed at a person.