mocha

American  

[moh-kuh] / ˈmoʊ kə /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) Also a seaport in the Republic of Yemen on the Red Sea.

2. a choice variety of coffee, originally grown in Arabia.

3. a flavoring obtained from a coffee infusion or a combined infusion of chocolate and coffee.

4. a brownish chocolate color.

5. a glove leather, finer and thinner than doeskin, the best grades of which are made from Arabian goatskins.

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mocha ¹ British  

/ ˈmɒkə /

noun

1. a strongly flavoured dark brown coffee originally imported from Arabia

2. a flavouring made from coffee and chocolate

3. a soft glove leather with a suede finish, made from goatskin or sheepskin

4. 1. a dark brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      mocha shoes

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Mocha ² British  

/ ˈmɒkə /

noun

1. a port in Yemen, on the Red Sea; in the former North Yemen until 1990: formerly important for the export of Arabian coffee. Pop: 14 562 (2005 est)

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Etymology

Origin of mocha

1765–75 mocha for def. 2

Explanation

Mocha is a high quality type of coffee made from a specific coffee bean. It's easily confused with the flavored drink also called a mocha, which combines coffee and chocolate. Mocha coffee beans are from the plant species called Coffee arabica, and it was originally only grown in Mocha, Yemen. Most people who order mochas in coffee shops have a more complicated drink in mind: the hot or cold mixture of coffee or espresso, milk, and chocolate. Anything mocha flavored will echo this coffee-chocolate combination, while something mocha colored will be a similar brown shade.

Example Sentences

You can have that as a latte, you can do it as a mocha or a blended coffee freeze.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Do so, and you’ll be hit with a bold arrival of of toasty, hearty mocha.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2025

“I have a delicious mocha flavored granola recipe in my new cookbook that utilizes spent coffee grounds to enhance the chocolate flavor,” she said.

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2024

Try a rich and invigorating peppermint mocha with a twisty, satisfying mystery.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 18, 2023

Raspberry mocha, thin mint, stone gray...I’m so good at painting nails, I could open up my own shop.

From "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson

Related Words

• caffeine
• cappuccino
• espresso