rum

1 of 2

noun

ˈrəm 

1

: an alcoholic beverage distilled from a fermented cane product (such as molasses)

2

: alcoholic liquor

the demon rum

rum

2 of 2

adjective

rummer; rummest

1

British, informal + somewhat old-fashioned : strange, odd

Now writing is rum trade and eyes are rum things, and what is all right one day is all wrong the next.

—Angela Thirkell

2

British, informal + somewhat old-fashioned : difficult, dangerous

Synonyms of rum

Noun

• liquor
• alcohol
• booze
• drink
• bottle

Adjective

• strange
• funny
• bizarre
• weird
• peculiar
• curious
• odd
• erratic
• eccentric
• crazy
• remarkable
• unusual
• queer
• wild

Examples of rum in a Sentence

Noun

a fiery sermon on the evils of demon rum

Adjective

They're a pretty rum lot.

she wears staid business suits, but prefers some quite rum knickers underneath

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ciara gets behind the Blueberries Refuel Station at the People x InStyle Pit Stop Party to sample a blueberry mojito with her Ten to One rum in Miami on May 2. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

White cake is studded with raisins, softened with rum extract, and topped with billowy, marshmallowy frosting. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 May 2026

Adjective

After dinner, rum-centric cocktails are served up nightly with vibey tunes and a view of the Grove that stretches all the way to the Bay. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2026

To drink, there are rum-focused cocktails and wines from Callahan. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably short for obsolete rumbullion rum

Adjective

of uncertain origin

First Known Use

Noun

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rum

• bay rum
• bay-rum tree
• Jamaica rum

Rhymes for rum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

rum

noun

ˈrəm

: an alcoholic liquor made from molasses or sugarcane