jug
noun · verb
Simple meaning
A serving vessel or container, usually circular in cross-section and usually higher than it is wide.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
juhgIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈdʒʌɡ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A serving vessel or container, typically circular in cross-section and typically higher than it is wide, with a relatively small mouth or spout, an ear handle and often a stopper or top.
The amount that a jug can hold.
slang
Jail.
A small mixed breed of dog created by mating a Jack Russell terrier and a pug.
AustraliaNew Zealand
An upright electric kettle.
ukinformal
A traditional dimpled glass with a handle, for serving a pint of beer.
verb
transitive
To stew in an earthenware jug etc.
intransitive
To utter a sound like "jug", as certain birds do, especially the nightingale.
transitiveslang
To put into jail.
intransitiveof quails or partridges
To nestle or collect together in a covey.
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A serving vessel or container, typically circular in cross-section and typically higher than it is wide, with a relatively small mouth or spout, an ear handle and often a stopper or top.
Used this way, jug is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It stays understated rather than dramatic. This is a nautical use: it is standard at sea and largely unfamiliar ashore.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Mild
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Sailing/maritime
- Technical/specialist writing
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.