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.
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
In the sulfur-infused ponds of Tabasco state in Mexico lives a tiny silver slip of a fish, the sulphur molly.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2021
To learn more about the enigmatic behavior, Lukas, Krause and their colleagues braved harsh conditions to observe the sulfur molly waves up close.
From Scientific American ● Dec. 22, 2021
Then you might want to meet the Amazon molly, a species of fish in the southwestern United States and northeast Mexico.
From New York Times ● Feb. 26, 2021
Genie wanted to point it out to Grandpop, but Grandma had said not to mention it, and when Crab did mention it, he almost got molly whopped.
From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds
Molly, 32, wore a white short-sleeved mini dress with a matching pillbox hat and netted veil for the occassion, while Tom, 26, wore a black suit and tie.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
Molly Haynes, a first-timer, posed with outstretched arms under a big red Buc-ee’s sign, while Rose Schneider captured the moment on her phone.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026
During his introductory news conference Saturday, John Mozeliak didn’t rule out becoming the new general manager, and will work with team president Molly Jolly on the best plan.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
There was Molly Hollis, a middle-aged, Midwestern former schoolteacher whose creation required body padding and a wig; a flamboyant redhead; a nearly invisible elderly woman; and, most uncannily, Reichl’s own mother.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
But when Molly turned, there was no one.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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
The mollies are prey for an array of winged predators, including egrets, kingfishers and kiskadees.
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.
