# mummy

/ˈməmi/ (US) · /mˈʌmi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mummy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. mother

noun · CEFR A1 · British English · Informal

a name that children use for their mother.

For teachers: a familiar and informal term for one's mother, primarily used by children or in family contexts.

- The little girl ran to her mummy and gave her a big hug.
- In many British households, children continue to address their mother as 'mummy' well into their primary school years before switching to 'mum'.

Usage: Capitalised when used as a proper name for one's own mother.

### 2. preserved corpse

noun · CEFR B1

a dead body that has been preserved, often wrapped in cloth, like those from ancient Egypt.

For teachers: a human or animal corpse preserved by either intentional embalming or natural conditions, typically associated with ancient Egyptian burial rites.

- The museum has a famous Egyptian mummy that is over three thousand years old.
- Archaeologists discovered the mummy in a hidden chamber, noting that the linen bandages and resin had kept the remains remarkably intact.

Usage: Often used in the context of archaeology or horror fiction.

### 3. horror character

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a monster in movies that looks like a preserved body wrapped in bandages.

For teachers: a reanimated corpse wrapped in bandages, appearing as a stock character in Gothic horror and modern cinema.

- He dressed up as a mummy for the party by wrapping himself in toilet paper.
- The classic horror film features a mummy that rises from its sarcophagus to haunt the explorers who disturbed its tomb.

## Examples

- The little girl ran to her mummy for a hug.
- He still calls his mother 'mummy' when they are at home together, though he uses her name in public.
- While 'mother' serves as the formal biological or legal designation, 'mummy' carries a specific emotional weight associated with early childhood bonding and domestic comfort.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.