English Explanatory Dictionary

must

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To do as a requirement; indicates that the sentence subject is required as an imperative or directive to execute the sentence predicate, with failure to do so resulting in a failure or negative consequence.
  2. To do with certainty; indicates that the speaker is certain that the subject will have executed the predicate.
  3. Used to indicate that something is very likely, probable, or certain to be true.
noun
  1. Something that is mandatory, required or recommended.
noun
  1. The property of being stale or musty.
  2. Something that exhibits the property of being stale or musty.
  3. Fruit juice that will ferment or has fermented, usually from grapes.
verb
  1. To make musty.
  2. To become musty.
noun
  1. Alternative spelling of musth.

Pronunciation

/məst/ /məs/ /mʌst/ en-us-must.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-must.wav /mʊst/

Word forms

must no-table-tags glossary mote motest mus' musts musting musted

Etymology

From Middle English moste ("must", literally, "had to", the past tense of Middle English moten (“to have to”)), from Old English mōste (“had to”), 1st & 3rd person singular past tense of mōtan (“to be allowed, be able to, have the opportunity to, be compelled to, must, may”), from Proto-Germanic *mōtaną. Cognate with Dutch moest (“had to”), German musste (“had to”), Swedish måste (“must, have to, be obliged to”). More at mote.

Synonyms

imperative necessity

Antonyms

no-no

Derived words

all good things must come to an end Assad must go curse Caesar's wife must be above suspicion cooler heads must prevail cool heads must prevail every dog must have his day every dog must have its day I must go I must love you and leave you I must say must-buy must get in front must have been the wind must have killed a Chinaman must-learn must-link must-listening must-move must needs must-read must-try musturbation must watch must-win needs must needs must when the devil drives one must give to get there must be something in the water the show must go on the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must want must be one's master what goes up must come down you must be fun at parties you must be new here you must spoil before you spin must weight mustimeter
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