ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rum

n. · adj.
US //ˈɹəm// UK //ɹˈʌm// rum
  1. 1 alcoholic drink (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a strong alcoholic drink made from sugarcane or molasses.

    a distilled spirit produced from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses or honey, or directly from sugarcane juice.

    Example

    The sailor ordered a glass of dark rum at the bar.

    Example

    The distillery specialises in aged rums, using charred oak barrels to impart a complex smoky flavour to the spirit.
  2. 2 strange or odd (adj.)
    C1 Advanced British English Informal

    strange, unusual, or slightly suspicious.

    peculiar, odd, or queer in nature. This sense is primarily British and increasingly rare in modern speech.

    Example

    It was a rum start to the day when the car wouldn't start and the cat went missing.

    Example

    He had a rum look about him, as if he were hiding a secret that he wasn't quite ready to share with the rest of the group.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is quite dated; learners will mostly encounter it in older British literature or films.
Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026