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• mo
  mo

  noun

  moment.
• Mo
  Mo

  molybdenum.
• MO
  MO

  abbreviation

  method of operation.
• -mo
  -mo

  a suffix occurring in a series of compounds that describe book sizes according to the number of leaves formed by the folding of a single sheet of paper.
• mo.
  mo.

  abbreviation

  month.
• Mo.
  Mo.

  abbreviation

  Missouri.
• m.o.
  m.o.

  abbreviation

  mail order.
• M.O.
  M.O.

  abbreviation

  mail order.

mo

¹ American  

[moh] / moʊ /

noun

Informal.

1. moment.

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Mo ² American  

Symbol, Chemistry.

1. molybdenum.

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MO ³ American  

abbreviation

1. method of operation.

2. Missouri (approved especially for use with zip code).

3. mode of operation.

4. modus operandi.

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-mo ⁴ American  

1. a suffix occurring in a series of compounds that describe book sizes according to the number of leaves formed by the folding of a single sheet of paper.

   sixteenmo.

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mo. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

• mos
  plural

1. month.

2. months.

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Mo. ⁶ American  

abbreviation

1. Missouri.

2. Monday.

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m.o. ⁷ American  

abbreviation

1. mail order.

2. modus operandi.

3. money order.

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M.O. ⁸ American  

abbreviation

1. mail order.

2. manually operated.

3. Medical Officer.

4. method of operation.

5. mode of operation.

6. modus operandi.

7. money order.

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MO ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Missouri

2. Medical Officer

3. modus operandi

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mo ² British  

/ məʊ /

noun

1. short for moment

2. short for moustache

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m.o. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. mail order

2. money order

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Mo ⁴ British  

symbol

1. molybdenum

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Mo. ⁵ British  

abbreviation

1. Missouri

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-mo ⁶ British  

suffix

1. (in bookbinding) indicating book size by specifying the number of leaves formed by folding one sheet of paper

   12mo, twelvemo, or duodecimo

   16mo or sixteenmo

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mo ⁷ British  

abbreviation

1. Macau

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Usage

What else does MO mean? MO—it's a multifunctional set of letters. MO is commonly used as an abbreviation for modus operandi, meaning “mode of operating or working.” It’s also commonly a postal abbreviation for Missouri. You may not always encounter mo in uppercase letters in informal contexts in digital communication. So, two other widespread, popular uses of mo you may encounter are: Mo, a guy’s name, and mo, a dialectical pronunciation of more. In the U. K. and other English-speaking places around the world, mo is a slang shortening of the word moment. How is MO pronounced?[ em-oh ] or [ moh ]What are some variants of MO?or M. O. or mo' or moWhat are some other words related to MO?

• more
• modus operandi
• Missouri

Etymology

Origin of mo¹

By shortening

Origin of -mo⁴

Combining form extracted from duodecimo

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mo Mo MO mo. Mo. m.o. M.O.

Her improvised chorus is simple; a dozen times, she repeats “Mo ti de, mo ti de le,” which means “I’ve arrived. I’ve come home” in Yoruba.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2023

It can do all the modes that matter in terms of 4K and slow mo and handles them all super well.

From The Verge ● Sep. 21, 2021

But it’s the mo hanh, caramelized scallions and scallion-flavored oil, that make this banh mi sing.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 3, 2020

Looks like they’re ganging up trying to make an honest man out of me, a lo mo, natural born hustler!

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 2, 2019

Reznak mo Reznak hovered at the queen’s elbow, and Strong Belwas stood behind her with his huge arms ! crossed.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Whether he is pulling a pint, tossing a builder's helmet in the air or running with Olympic medallist Mo Farah, the UK's new prime minister Andy Burnham has embraced social media with a deft touch.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

In recent weeks, officers have broadened their approach to make more arrests near gates and ticket counters at airports from San Francisco to Miami and Kansas City, Mo.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

In the hours before and after becoming prime minister, Burnham co-authored two posts on TikTok and Instagram, including a running video with Sir Mo Farah.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

But this turn doesn’t define Mo or his overall arc, which tightly focuses on the constant hustle, creativity and sense of humor required to survive as an immigrant in this country.

From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2026

"Look who it is: Eenie, Meanie, Minie, and Mo," Ms. CeeCee said, pointing at each of them.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds

The company’s shares change hands for 21 times expected earnings, a 70% premium to Altria MO -0.21%decrease; down pointing triangle and BAT.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Back in April, Walmart announced that it was in the process of removing self-checkouts and returning to regular checkouts in its store in Shrewsbury, MO, a suburb of St. Louis.

From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2024

But the specific deal with Alonso, a free agent after this season, would be a departure from the Mariners’ typical MO under Jerry Dipoto.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2024

Indeed, her MO is a little closer to Buster Keaton’s.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2023

He knew there was • MO • no shame in crying.

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer

“It’s key that need for reform is understood, but we don’t need 6 mo. of study,” he wrote.

From New York Times ● Oct. 22, 2020

At the age of 18 mo. the prodigy, referred to only as "K," could converse fluently.

From Time Magazine Archive

Poor St. Louis, mo. everyone has a tear or two for gritty cities facing hard times--for the Detroits, the Clevelands--but who spares a thought for the elegant dowager reduced to reusing tea bags?

From Time Magazine Archive

Net income, first half 158,696 Net income, 18 mo. ended December 275,622 Reo Motor Car Co.

From Time Magazine Archive

The fearless Garrett communicated through the mail, as usual, the following intelligence: WILMINGTON, 8th mo. 25th, 1859.

From The Underground Railroad A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, &c., Narrating the Hardships, Hair-Breadth Escapes and Death Struggles of the Slaves in Their Efforts for Freedom, As Related by Themselves and Others, or Witnessed by the Author. by William Still

With one child and another on the way, the couple has since sold that house and purchased another in St. Louis, Mo. They moved to the more-affordable city to be closer to family.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026

But the residents of Nodaway County, Mo., are answering rationally when they object to the proposed data center he describes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Production of the Stone portfolio will gradually transition to Firestone Walker’s brewery in Paso Robles, Calif., and Duvel USA’s Boulevard brewery in Kansas City, Mo., the joint statement said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

Ryan Kerner, an attorney from St. Louis, Mo., was puzzled and delighted when he saw groups of Bald-Es near Hyde Park on the day of the concert.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The old man's expression was no longer quite so forbidding as he inspected Mo. “How extraordinary. You must be really keen on the book,” he murmured.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Reacting defines her persona and the cultural m.o. of her memoir.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2020

This is the same m.o. as Netflix, but in Quibi’s case it means an almost-cliffhanger is upon you every seven minutes.

From Slate ● Apr. 6, 2020

And causing other people’s pain is not in my m.o.

From Salon ● May 2, 2019

Its m.o., sour beers and Neapolitan-style pizza, continues at the new Fremont location, but there will be an extensive fresh-pasta menu, sandwiches, tacos and a full bar with a biodynamic wine program.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 4, 2017

Wouldn’t that have been squarely within the Fellowes m.o.?

From New York Times ● Jan. 31, 2016

"I feel like in my career I've won on tough golf courses generally, so that's my M.O., I would say," said 2025 Masters runner-up Rose, who led by a shot after an opening-round 62.

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026

Bending Spoons’ M.O. is apparent from even a cursory look at its portfolio and record.

From Slate ● Jan. 23, 2026

Whether she’s being herself or playing Leslie Knope, Poehler’s M.O. has long been catching more flies with honey than vinegar.

From Salon ● Jan. 16, 2026

With its slow pacing, shaky handheld cameras, dishwater cinematography and unnervingly extreme closeups, it feels more like an intense indie drama than a whimsical tale of a robber with a peculiar M.O.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025

We found the road dotted with dead mules and horses, but could not find the M.O. for some time.

From The Incomparable 29th and the "River Clyde" by George Davidson

Related Words

• rule of thumb