mosey

[moh-zee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mosey ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), mo·seyed, mo·sey·ing. Informal.

to wander or shuffle about leisurely; stroll; saunter (often followed by along, about, etc.).

to leave quickly; decamp.

Origin of mosey

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for mosey

mope, meander, amble, ramble, traipse, dilly-dally, linger, dally, drift, loiter

Examples from the Web for mosey

Contemporary Examples of mosey

We mosey up to the massive, ornate wooden bar and take a seat.
The Secret Speakeasies of Buenos Aires
Jeff Campagna
February 25, 2014
Mosey had retained HoganWillig, the filing said, to pursue claims on behalf of the estate.
Beheading Case Goes to Court
Asra Q. Nomani
February 20, 2009

Historical Examples of mosey

If he's lively, it's betther to be that, than a mosey, any day.
Phelim O'toole's Courtship and Other Stories
William Carleton
"I reckon I'll just mosey over to the desert," drawled the fidgety man.
Life at High Tide
Various
Then he'll mosey down the hilltop to see if anything is on his trail.
The Black Fawn
James Arthur Kjelgaard
It's up to you, to-morrow mornin', to mosey round an' see what you can see.
Moon-Face and Other Stories
Jack London
"Very good of you, I'm sure," Mrs. Mosey answered ironically.
I Say No
Wilkie Collins

British Dictionary definitions for mosey

mosey

verb (intr)

informal (often foll by along or on) to walk in a leisurely manner; amble

Word Origin for mosey

C19: origin unknown

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mosey

1829, American English slang, of unknown origin, perhaps related to British dialectal mose about "go around in a dull, stupid way." Or perhaps from Spanish vamos (see vamoose). Related: Moseyed; moseying.