moly

¹ American  

[moh-lee] / ˈmoʊ li /

noun

Classical Mythology.

molies plural

1. an herb given to Odysseus by Hermes to counteract the spells of Circe.

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moly ² American  

[mol-ee] / ˈmɒl i /

noun

Informal.

1. molybdenum.

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moly British  

/ ˈməʊlɪ /

noun

1. Greek myth a magic herb given by Hermes to Odysseus to nullify the spells of Circe

2. a liliaceous plant, Allium moly, that is native to S Europe and has yellow flowers in a dense cluster

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• molies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of moly¹

< Latin mōly < Greek môly

Origin of moly²

By shortening

Example Sentences

“And I’m like, ‘Holy moly, you caught your first fish, son.’”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025

“When I look at the people seeded ahead of me, I’m like ‘holy moly.’

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023

The best part is the way he excitedly points at everyone he's taking a photo with, a gesture that translates as: "Holy moly, look who I'm standing next to!"

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2023

As she says, "Especially when it becomes something that's truly delicious, there's nothing better. It's like, holy moly, I want to do that again."

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2022

“Holy moly, could it...could that be where he hid it?”

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas