Word
mutiny
US/ˈmjutəni/
UK/mjˈuːtɪni/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. an occasion when a group of people, like soldiers or sailors, refuse to obey their leader. It usually involves trying to take control of the ship or organization.
n. an open rebellion against constituted authority, especially by soldiers or sailors against their officers.
Examples
“The sailors planned a mutiny against their cruel captain.”
“The crew's growing anger over the lack of food eventually led to a full-scale mutiny in the middle of the ocean.”
“Historical accounts of the mutiny suggest that the uprising was not merely a reaction to harsh discipline, but a calculated attempt to seize the vessel for piracy.”
Examples
simple
“The sailors planned a mutiny against their cruel captain.”
contextual
“The crew's growing anger over the lack of food eventually led to a full-scale mutiny in the middle of the ocean.”
complex
“Historical accounts of the mutiny suggest that the uprising was not merely a reaction to harsh discipline, but a calculated attempt to seize the vessel for piracy.”
Usage
Often functions as an uncountable concept in general discussion, but becomes countable when referring to specific historical incidents.
Real-World Examples
“The mutiny last week began at Base 101, a military facility inside Niamey’s international airport, when soldiers turned on their commanders and opened fire at several sites in the city.” “The mutiny showed who Tchiani could rely on when his own security forces turned against him.” Etymology
From Middle French mutiner.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The word in film
The Caine Mutiny · 1954 · War
- Directed by:
- Edward Dmytryk
- Starring:
- Humphrey Bogart, Lee Marvin, José Ferrer
Edward Dmytryk directs this naval courtroom drama starring Humphrey Bogart as an increasingly paranoid minesweeper commander. The title describes the critical moment when the ship's executive officer relieves his captain of duty during a typhoon, prompting a high-stakes court-martial for open rebellion against authority.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/mutiny