mome: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Archaic / Extremely RareLiterary / Archaic / Poetic
Quick answer
What does “mome” mean?
A foolish, stupid, or insignificant person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A foolish, stupid, or insignificant person; a blockhead.
An archaic term for a dullard or simpleton, sometimes implying rustic awkwardness. In modern usage, it appears almost exclusively as a literary or historical reference, often to Shakespeare's works.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No current difference in usage as the word is obsolete. Recognition may be slightly higher among UK audiences due to greater curricular emphasis on Shakespeare.
Connotations
Literary/archaic in both varieties. Primarily evokes Shakespeare's 'As You Like It'.
Frequency
Effectively zero frequency in modern corpora for both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “mome” in a Sentence
[determiner] + mome[adjective] + momeVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literary analysis of Early Modern English texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mome”
- Using it in modern speech/writing as if it were current.
- Pronouncing it as /mɔːm/ (like 'mom').
- Confusing it with 'gnome' or 'mime'.
- Assuming it's a verb or adjective.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic word, no longer in active use except in historical or literary contexts.
Its etymology is uncertain. It appears in Middle French as 'momme' (mask, mumming) and may be connected to 'mummer', but its exact origin is unclear.
Only for a deliberate archaic, poetic, or humorous effect, with the understanding that most readers will need the context explained. It is not suitable for standard communication.
Its most famous usage is in Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' (Act V, Scene 1), where Touchstone says: "I will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways: therefore tremble and depart... a man that is a sin to him that drinks at him, a mome, a malcontent."
A foolish, stupid, or insignificant person.
Mome is usually literary / archaic / poetic in register.
Mome: in British English it is pronounced /məʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No modern idioms. Archaic: 'a mome and a milk-livered man' (from Shakespeare)]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MOME' as 'MOhawk MEathead' – a foolish person with an outlandish hairstyle. Alternatively, remember the line from Shakespeare: "A mome, a malcontent".
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOLISHNESS IS A STATE OF RUSTIC SIMPLICITY / LACK OF URBANITY.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern context for encountering the word 'mome'?