mummy

Everyday

1. (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, informal) A child's word for mother; in the USA it is «mommy». tree →
2. A dead body kept from rotting long ago, often wrapped in cloth, as in ancient Egypt. tree →
3. (stories) A scary monster in films, a wrapped body that walks. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life small children call their mother «Mummy». In history and science lessons, mummies tell us how ancient Egyptians lived and what they believed. In Halloween stories a mummy is a spooky character. Phrases: Mummy and Daddy, an Egyptian mummy, mummy's boy.

Examples

• Mummy, can I have a biscuit? tree →
• My baby sister cries for her mummy. tree →
• We saw an Egyptian mummy at the museum. tree →
• The mummy was wrapped in long strips of linen. tree →
• Scientists used X-rays to look inside the mummy. tree →
• He dressed up as a mummy with toilet paper for Halloween. tree →
• Mummies were buried with food and treasures. tree →
• “Not quite empty, mummy,” Slightly said, after looking into an imaginary mug. tree →

Note

Plural: mummies (y to ies). As a name for your mother it has a capital: «Mummy said yes.» US children say Mommy, UK children say Mummy or Mum. Myth: mummies did not really come alive; that is only in stories. «Mummy's boy» is a teasing phrase.