mutton
C1Formal to neutral in culinary contexts; dated/informal in slang usage.
Definition
Meaning
The meat of a mature sheep, used as food.
It can refer to the meat from sheep over two years old, as distinct from younger lamb. In dated slang, it was used to describe a loose woman or, more generally, something as 'old mutton' meaning worn out.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense is culinary. The distinction from 'lamb' (meat from a young sheep) is crucial for precise meaning. The word is rarely used in contemporary slang.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The culinary term is understood in both varieties but is more common in UK/EU contexts, especially historical or butchery-specific. The idiom 'mutton dressed as lamb' is primarily British.
Connotations
In both, it can imply a stronger flavour and tougher texture than lamb. The dated slang connotations are largely obsolete.
Frequency
More frequently encountered in UK English, particularly in traditional recipes, butcher shops, and historical contexts. In American English, 'lamb' is often used as a broader category.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[ADJ] + muttonmutton + [VERB: roast/stew/braise]mutton + [PREP] + [NOUN: mutton in gravy]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “mutton dressed as lamb (disparaging: an older person dressed in a style suitable for a much younger one)”
- “dead as mutton (completely dead or defunct)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in agriculture, butchery, meat import/export, and culinary supply chains.
Academic
Appears in historical, agricultural, and culinary studies texts.
Everyday
Mainly in discussions of food, cooking, or traditional recipes.
Technical
Specific term in animal husbandry, meat grading, and gastronomy to denote age of animal at slaughter.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A mutton pie is a traditional dish.
- He was accused of having mutton-chop whiskers.
American English
- The mutton stew had a rich, hearty flavour.
- The historic portrait featured a man with muttonchop sideburns.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I don't eat mutton.
- The shop sells lamb and mutton.
- We had roast mutton with potatoes for Sunday dinner.
- Mutton is less expensive than lamb in some markets.
- The recipe called for mutton, but she substituted lamb, altering the dish's traditional flavour.
- In the 19th century, mutton was a staple protein for many working-class families.
- Critics dismissed her new pop single as mere mutton dressed as lamb, a cynical attempt to recapture a youthful audience.
- The gastronome could discern the distinct gaminess of properly aged mutton from the milder taste of spring lamb.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MUTTON' has 'TON' in it. A mature sheep weighs a TON (is bigger/heavier than a lamb).
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSOLESCENCE (in the idiom 'mutton dressed as lamb'): Age is an old/strong-flavoured meat pretending to be a young/tender one.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- The Russian word 'баранина' (baranina) refers to sheep meat of any age, encompassing both English 'lamb' and 'mutton'. Using 'mutton' specifically for young meat would be incorrect.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'mutton' to refer to goat meat (which is 'chevon' or 'goat meat').
- Confusing 'mutton' with 'lamb' in recipes, leading to unexpected cooking times and flavours.
Practice
Quiz
What is the key factor distinguishing mutton from lamb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both come from sheep, but 'lamb' is from a young sheep (typically under one year), while 'mutton' is from an older sheep (typically over two years). Mutton has a stronger flavour and tougher texture.
Yes, but it will change the dish. Lamb cooks faster and has a milder taste. Mutton requires longer, slower cooking (like braising) to become tender and contributes a richer, gamier flavour.
It's a disapproving British idiom describing an older person (usually a woman) who is dressed in a style considered suitable for someone much younger, implying a futile or inappropriate attempt to appear youthful.
It is far less common than beef, chicken, or pork. Lamb is more readily available, and the term 'lamb' is often used generically for all sheep meat in US markets. Mutton is found in specialty butcher shops or in specific cultural cuisines.