mum
gb/mˈʌm/ us/mˈʌm/
A1
English
~ 700
anya, anyu, anyuka, hallgat, néma, csendben marad, elnémult, szótlan
NOUN
A1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s mum
My mum makes the best apple pie.
Anyukám készíti a legjobb almás pitét.
I called my mum to tell her the news.
Felhívtam anyukámat, hogy elmondjam neki a hírt.
We’re visiting Mum this weekend.
Mum told me to clean my room.
Her mum is a doctor.
Learner examples
My mum is very kind.
Anyukám nagyon kedves.
I live with my mum.
Anyukámmal élek.
Mum is in the kitchen.
I talk to my mum every day.
My mum works in a shop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mum' with 'mom'; 'mum' is the common spelling in British English, while 'mom' is used in American English.
Meaning
one's female parent
Collocations
my mum
|mum and dad
|call mum
|visit mum
|mum's house
Synonyms
mother (More formal and widely used in both British and American English.)
|
mom (American English equivalent; informal.)
Antonyms
dad (Male parent; opposite gender role in the family.)
Themes
family
|daily life
|relationships
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Your female parent; the woman who gave birth to you or raised you.
A person's female parent.
B1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
keep mum about [something]
He kept mum about the surprise party.
Mélyen hallgatott a meglepetésbuliról.
She remained mum during the meeting.
Az értekezlet alatt szótlan maradt.
They stayed mum when asked about the plan.
I’ll keep mum if you tell me your secret.
The witness was completely mum in court.
Learner examples
He kept mum about the news.
Hallgatott a hírről.
She stayed mum during dinner.
Vacsora közben szótlan maradt.
I will keep mum about your idea.
They stayed mum when asked a question.
He was mum all day.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'mum' (silent) with 'mum' meaning 'mother'; context is key.
Meaning
silent; not saying anything
Collocations
keep mum
|stay mum
|remain mum
Synonyms
silent (A more neutral term for not making any sound.)
|
quiet (Can describe both low volume and lack of speech; broader use.)
Antonyms
talkative (Describes someone who talks a lot, opposite of being mum.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not talking; keeping quiet.
Not speaking; refusing or choosing not to talk.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mum
IPA
GB/mˈʌm/
US/mˈʌm/
Syllables & stress
mum (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mum)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: mum
Noun
- Base: mum
- Plural: mums
Word family
Expressions
keep mum
1/kˈip mˈʌm/
idiom
informal
stay quiet about something
To not tell anyone about something; to keep it a secret.
Examples
- She kept mum about the whole incident.
- I promised to keep mum until the announcement was made.
Mum's the word
1/mˈʌmz ðə wˈɚd/
idiom
informal
do not tell anyone
Used to tell someone to keep something secret and not talk about it.
Examples
- Mum's the word until the deal is signed.
- Remember, mum's the word about the surprise party.