Added 9 October 2026
must
/məst/ verb
In Latin: debeō, debere, obligor Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about must at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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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.
You must arrive in class on time.
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To do with certainty; indicates that the speaker is certain that the subject will have executed the predicate.
If it has rained all day, it must be very wet outside.
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Used to indicate that something is very likely, probable, or certain to be true.
The children must be asleep by now.
noun
noun
- The property of being stale or musty.
- Something that exhibits the property of being stale or musty.
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Fruit juice that will ferment or has fermented, usually from grapes (in winemaking) or apples (in cidermaking).
The guide then explained that the must drains from the cider press and runs into the vats where it will ferment.
verb
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)