mummer Meaning & Definition
What Does Mummer Mean?
Mummer is used as a noun meaning A person who dons a disguising costume, as for a parade or a festival. It can also mean An actor in a pantomime; one who communicates entirely through gesture and facial expression. As a verb, it means Synonym of mum (“to act in pantomime or dumb show”).
Mummer: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈmʌm.ə(ɹ)// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | pantomimist, pantomimer and mimer |
| Plural | mummers |
| Verb forms | mummers, mummering, mummered |
Mummer Definition (Noun)
- A person who dons a disguising costume, as for a parade or a festival.
- An actor in a pantomime; one who communicates entirely through gesture and facial expression.
Mummer as a Verb
- Synonym of mum (“to act in pantomime or dumb show”).
Synonyms of Mummer
Mummer synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Mummer
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Mummer in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
mummer (plural mummers)
mummer (third-person singular simple present mummers, present participle mummering, simple past and past participle mummered)
Words That Rhyme With Mummer
Origin of Mummer
Origin 1: From Middle English mummer, mommer, equivalent to mum + -er, perhaps conflating with Old French momeor (“jester, entertainer”), from mommer (“to wear a mask”), from momon (“mask”). Compare German Mumme (“mask”), 16th Century German mummen (“to disguise oneself”), Middle Dutch mommen, mummen (“to go about in a mask, to disguise”), Middle Low Saxon mommen (“to wear a mask, to disguise”), Dutch mom (“mask”) and mimmen (“to mask”) as well as Spanish momo (“grimace”).
Origin 2: Perhaps both of the conflated terms are from the same ultimate root, as note Middle Low Saxon mummen (“to speak indistinctly, to disguise oneself”), Dutch mommen (“to speak indistinctly”), German mummen (“to speak indistinctly”), English mump (“to grimace, mumble”).
How Do You Say Mummer?
The standard pronunciation of mummer is //ˈmʌm.ə(ɹ)//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mummer
Is mummer a noun or a verb?
Mummer is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for mummer?
Words with a similar meaning to mummer include pantomimist, pantomimer and mimer. See the full list of mummer synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of mummer?
The plural of mummer is mummers.
What is the past tense of mummer?
The past tense of mummer is mummered. The present participle is mummering.