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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.

I have the Tongan seal and motto “Ko e ʻOtua mo Tonga ko hoku tofiʻa,” which means “God and Tonga are my inheritance,” tattooed on my left arm.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 5, 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

“Magnificence,” murmured Reznak mo Reznak, “we cannot know that these great nobles mean to join your enemies. More like they are simply making for their estates in the hills.”

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

With this latest triumph, Hudson-Smith joined British greats Mo Farah and Roger Black on five golds, while matching Dina Asher-Smith as the most decorated British athlete in the history of the championships.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“Loudoun was called the breadbasket of the Revolution,” said Denise Mo, executive director of the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 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

It’s still a popular stop, 25 miles west of Springfield, Mo.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

Mo had always been on the lookout for new plants.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

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

Because doing the most with what’s at hand has always been Soto’s MO: He continuously challenges himself to do more with less.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2023

“Oh, big surprise. Maddie’s running away! That’s your MO anytime you come across something you don’t know how to handle.”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

“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

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

"Four able-bodied men," form the subject of the subjoined correspondence: WILMINGTON, 11th mo., 4th, 1856.

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

The elder Iwerks met fellow artist Walt Disney when both men were teenagers working at a Kansas City, Mo., art studio.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

Kyle Scheele, a 40-year-old from Springfield, Mo., came to the U.K. with his wife for a five-day hike through the Cotswolds, prepared for rainy days in the 60s and 70s.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Sheila was raised in Kansas City, Mo., and moved to New York where she worked as a registered nurse but also had a background in theater.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

He was raised in Kansas City, Mo., and splits time between Los Angeles and the house outside his hometown that he shares with his longtime romantic partner, Katie Crutchfield of the band Waxahatchee.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

“I’d rather you didn’t ask me that," said Mo. “Let’s just act as if we were on holiday for a few days. This looks like a good place for a holiday, don’t you think?"

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

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

It’s a shame not to hear the instrument more, but there are moments when the vocals-heavy m.o. makes sense.

From New York Times ● Aug. 24, 2018

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

“You saw exactly the m.o. of what David would love to have,” Helton said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 28, 2017

"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

As it happened, however, I did not cross to England for several days, but stayed at a base hospital until, in the opinion of the M.O.,

From "The Pomp of Yesterday" by Joseph Hocking

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