mope

American  

[mohp] / moʊp /

verb (used without object)

moped, moping

1. to be sunk in dejection or listless apathy; sulk; brood.

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verb (used with object)

moped, moping

1. to make dejected, listless, or apathetic.

noun

1. a person who mopes or is given to moping.

2. mopes, depressed spirits; blues.

mope British  

/ məʊp /

verb

1. to be gloomy or apathetic

   there's no time to mope

2. to move or act in an aimless way

   he moped around the flat

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noun

1. a gloomy person

Other Word Forms

• moper noun
• mopingly adverb
• mopy adjective

Etymology

Origin of mope

First recorded in 1560–70; variant of mop ²

Example Sentences

And I will imagine myself on the high school stage four years from now, giving a valedictorian speech after beating Jonah by way more than half a point while he looks on, moping.

From Literature

As the days passed, Papa started moping around as if he didn’t have any life left in him.

From Literature

Everyone has noticed me moping around the house, but I’ve refused to talk about what happened.

From Literature

“You need to be with other kids, instead of moping around here all day.”

From Literature

For now, there was a fresh basket of superb bread every morning, no Gogolev moping about, and countless baby presents to knit.

From Literature

Related Words

• brood
• sulk