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mum ~ mum

[the same pronunciation; the letter 'u' in both words rhymes with the letter 'u' in "but"]

“Mum” {in American English ‘mom’} (noun) is ‘the short form for ‘mother’ used by children’;

e.g.

“Mum, I’m hungry!”

Let me ask my mum if she has some more cakes.

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“Mum” (adjective) {usually in the phrase ‘keep mum’} is ‘being silent; not telling anything’, and in the phrase “mum’s the word” which is used ‘to warn someone not to tell some secret to others’,

e.g.

He kept mum when they asked him about the progress of his research. (i.e. he was silent or he did not answer when he was questioned)

Father’s coming; mum’s the word on the broken window.

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