First recorded in 1930–35; shortened from New Latin Mollienisia, named after French statesman Count F. N. Mollien (1758–1850); see -ia
First recorded in 1930–35; formerly a trademark
First recorded in 1975–80; origin uncertain; perhaps a shortening of black molly, a tropical aquarium fish supposedly resembling the black pills; other authorities suggest it is a shortening and alteration of molecule ( def. )
First recorded in 1980–85; generic use of the proper name
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Court of Federal Claims judge Molly Silfen said tax-filing and payment deadlines were postponed during that time, plus another 60 days, which would have concluded on July 10, 2023.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
A friend reached out to Molly Duane, at the time a senior attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights, who was representing dozens of women denied medical care under abortion bans.
From Salon • May 27, 2026
Andy Burrows, chief executive of Molly Rose Foundation, a UK-based online safety charity, welcomed the report, calling big tech platforms "complacent and evasive when it comes to protecting children from preventable harm".
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Separately, Morgan Stanley analysts Stephen Grambling and Molly Baum wrote Thursday they expect Planet Fitness shares to “come under pressure and our estimates are under review.”
From Barron's • May 7, 2026
Maybe she’d go to Ashmodai and find out that Molly had the whole situation entirely wrong.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
