mooch
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to borrow (a small item or amount) without intending to return or repay it.
-
to get or take without paying or at another's expense; sponge.
He always mooches cigarettes.
-
to beg.
-
to steal.
verb (used without object)
-
to skulk or sneak.
-
to loiter or wander about.
noun
verb
-
to loiter or walk aimlessly
-
(intr) to behave in an apathetic way
-
(intr) to sneak or lurk; skulk
-
(tr) to cadge
-
(tr) to steal
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have moochedperfect
-
has moochedperfect 3rd person singular
-
are moochingprogressive
-
am moochingprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been moochingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is moochingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been moochingperfect progressive
-
moochingparticiple
-
moochessingular 3rd person
Past
-
had moochedperfect
-
was moochingprogressive singular
-
had been moochingperfect progressive
-
were moochingprogressive plural
-
moochedsimple
-
moochedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of mooch
1425–75; late Middle English, apparently variant of Middle English michen < Old French muchier to skulk, hide
Explanation
To mooch is to take advantage of other people's generosity without giving anything in return. If you constantly mooch rides from your friend, she's going to get tired of agreeing to drive you around. When you mooch food from your neighbors — showing up every night at dinnertime, or appearing uninvited at their family barbecues — you help yourself to free meals. A person in the habit of doing this is also called a mooch. The word's original definition, "pretend poverty," might stem from the Middle English word mucchen, "to be stingy," or literally, "to keep coins in one's nightcap."
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.
The New York Post did an article about you with a cartoon of the SS Mooch.
From Salon • May 18, 2024
Winter stood on the deck of his boat, named Mooch Better, where he had laid out tools to replace engine parts.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2024
Mooch and S.B.F. shared a stage and wore matching outfits.
From New York Times • Sep. 9, 2022
The Mooch, who served 11 days as White House communications director, responded:
From Washington Post • Jun. 18, 2019
The Mooch o' Life This ev'nin' I was sittin' wiv Doreen, Peaceful an' 'appy wiv the day's work done, Watchin', be'ind the orchard's bonzer green, The flamin' wonder of the settin' sun.
From The Songs of a Sentimental Bloke by Dennis, C. J. (Clarence James)
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.
