Standard Lemma guide

hugger-mugger

adj · adv · noun · verb · 11 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈhʌɡ.əˌmʌɡ.ə/
  • UK: /ˌhʌɡ.əˈmʌɡ.ə/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • US: /ˈhʌɡ.ɚˌmʌɡ.ɚ/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Secret, clandestine, sly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: abstruse, behind the scenes, catlike, backroom, stealth, clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, concealed, confidential, covert, deep-laid, dern, disguised, furtive, huggermugger, hush-hush, inconspicuous, incognito, low profile, lurksome, lurky, mousy, obfuscated, off-the-books, on the down-low, on the sly, secret, secretive, slinky, sly, sneaky, stealthy, sub rosa, surreptitious, under-the-table, under the radar, under wraps, undercover, underground, unperceived

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Disorderly, chaotic, confused.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • hugger-mugger doings

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

Secretly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

Confusedly, in a muddle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Secrecy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

Disorder.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

To meet or act secretly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

adjective satellite

Meaning 8

conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • clandestine intelligence operations
  • cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
  • hole-and-corner intrigue
  • secret missions
  • a secret agent
  • secret sales of arms
  • surreptitious mobilization of troops
  • an undercover investigation
  • underground resistance

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner(a), hush-hush, secret, surreptitious, undercover, underground

Antonyms: none provided

9

adjective satellite

Meaning 9

in utter disorder

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a disorderly pile of clothes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: disorderly, higgledy-piggledy, jumbled, topsy-turvy

Antonyms: none provided

10

adverb

Meaning 10

in secrecy

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • they did it all hugger-mugger

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

11

noun

Meaning 11

a state of confusion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: confusion

History

Etymology

Unknown; perhaps from Anglo-Irish cuggermugger (“a whispering, a low-voiced gossiping”), from Irish cogar (“whisper”). Compare also Scots hudge-mudge, hody-moke, Swedish mjugg (“stealth, secrecy”).