molly
noun
any of certain livebearing freshwater fishes of the genus Poecilia (formerlyMollienisia ), popular in home aquariums.
molly
1 American
[mol-ee]
/ ˈmɒl i /
noun
-
mollies
plural
molly
2
American
[mol-ee]
/ ˈmɒl i /
noun
-
mollies
plural
molly
3
American
[mol-ee]
/ ˈmɒl i /
molly
4
American
[mol-ee myool]
/ ˈmɒl i ˌmjul /
noun
Molly
5
American
[mol-ee]
/ ˈmɒl i /
noun
molly
1
British
/ ˈmɒlɪ /
noun
molly
2
British
/ ˈmɒlɪ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of molly1
First recorded in 1930–35; shortened from New Latin Mollienisia, named after French statesman Count F. N. Mollien (1758–1850); see -ia
Origin of molly2
First recorded in 1930–35; formerly a trademark
Origin of molly3
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. )
Origin of molly4
First recorded in 1980–85; generic use of the proper name
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I founded molly moon’s with the mission of making the world a better place, one scoop at a time.
From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2023
Organisms like the salmon and molly that can tolerate a relatively wide range of salinity are referred to as euryhaline organisms.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Whereas kingfishers would plunge into the water to pursue a molly, kiskadees would only skim the water’s surface with their beak, sparking fewer waves in response.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 22, 2021
Merry, molly does not need to hector us, or point out her opinion every time.
From New York Times ● Dec. 13, 2016
A few days after molly arrives at Vivian’s, she texts Ralph to let him know where she is.
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
“He’s aware of the chants,” Angels president Molly Jolly said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
When Molly went to the lobby, her mother seemed concerned, but not particularly upset, saying, “Oh, there you are.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
On Monday, Derbyshire Police said a man had been briefly detained outside Molly Malone's bar, before being released.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
But her mother often asked, “Where are we?” and Molly explained repeatedly they were on a Caribbean cruise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
A quick glance around showed that Ella, Calvin, Molly, and Sid were very busy pretending that Regan and I were invisible.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
She just had some questions how to treat ich, an illness that had wiped out her mollies.
From New York Times ● Mar. 17, 2023
Small freshwater fish called sulfur mollies synchronously splash their tails to create waves, and scientists have now demonstrated that this strategy can deter hungry birds.
From Scientific American ● Mar. 6, 2022
They quickly noticed that they were not the only ones looking at the mollies.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 22, 2021
When birds dive to attack, the mollies flash and swirl.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2021
“All my black mollies are dying off,” he said.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
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.
