gun moll: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Historical, slang, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “gun moll” mean?
A female companion, often romantic, of a male gangster or criminal.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A female companion, often romantic, of a male gangster or criminal.
A woman associated with a criminal, often involved in or knowledgeable about his illegal activities. Historically, the term sometimes implied she carried weapons or acted as a lookout.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in American English and was absorbed into British English primarily through crime films and literature. It has never been as naturalised in everyday UK speech.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a bygone era of organised crime (1920s-1940s). In modern usage, it can sound deliberately复古 or clichéd.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech in both regions. Slightly higher recognition in AmE due to the term's origins.
Grammar
How to Use “gun moll” in a Sentence
[Gangster] + possessive + gun mollThe gun moll of + [Gangster]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, criminological, or film studies contexts to discuss gender roles in organised crime.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation. Might appear in nostalgic or humorous reference.
Technical
Not a technical term in law enforcement; replaced by terms like 'female associate' or 'accomplice'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gun moll”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gun moll”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gun moll”
- Using it to describe a modern criminal's partner sounds anachronistic.
- Using it as a synonym for any female criminal (her primary identity was her association, not necessarily her own crimes).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered dated and carries sexist connotations, defining a woman primarily by her relationship to a male criminal. It is best used only in historical description.
While the core meaning emphasises companionship, the term historically sometimes included involvement in crimes (e.g., carrying concealed weapons, acting as a decoy). However, her primary identity in the term is as an associate.
A 'gun moll' is specifically tied to the underworld and a particular man. A 'femme fatale' is a seductive woman who leads men into danger, often for her own ends, and is not exclusively a criminal archetype.
No. Modern law enforcement uses neutral, descriptive terms like 'female associate', 'accomplice', or 'co-conspirator'.
A female companion, often romantic, of a male gangster or criminal.
Gun moll is usually historical, slang, journalistic in register.
Gun moll: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌn ˌmɒl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌn ˌmɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a classic black-and-white gangster film: the man has a GUN, his MOLL (woman) is by his side -> GUN MOLL.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN AS PROPERTY/APPENDAGE OF A CRIMINAL (archaic and sexist).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'gun moll' be MOST appropriately used today?