mum

1 syllable

Quick answer

As a noun, mum means (UK, Ireland, Canada, New England, South Africa, India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, informal) Mother. As an adjective, it means silent.

Meanings of mum

13 meanings

noun

(UK, Ireland, Canada, New England, South Africa, India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, informal) Mother.
chiefly usA chrysanthemum.
USoriginally texasA decoration made originally of a real chrysanthemum but now usually an artificial (silk) flower combined with ribbons and marked with such indicators as the wearer's name, school name, the year, and so on; traditionally worn by girls at high school homecoming celebrations.
A type of strong beer, originally made in Brunswick, Germany.
A perennial flowering plant native to Chinaplant
Similar: florist's chrysanthemum, florists' chrysanthemum, Dendranthema grandifloruom, Chrysanthemum morifolium
Secrecy
“mum's the word”

Older and rare meanings (2)

datedcolloquialMa'am; a term of respect for an older woman.
obsoleteSilence

adjective

colloquialSilent.
colloquialSecret.
Failing to speak or communicate etc. when expected to
“the witness remained silent”
Similar: silent

interjection

Stop speaking!, stop talking!, hush!

verb

To act in a pantomime or dumb show.

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

mum around the world

USA decoration made originally of a real chrysanthemum but now usually an artificial (silk) flower combined with ribbons and marked with such indicators as the wearer's name, school name, the year, and so on; traditionally worn by girls at high school homecoming celebrations.