moccies: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHighly Informal, Colloquial, Domestic
Quick answer
What does “moccies” mean?
An informal British term, typically a clipping of 'moccasins', referring to soft, comfortable shoes without laces.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal British term, typically a clipping of 'moccasins', referring to soft, comfortable shoes without laces.
A colloquial term often used by parents/guardians for children's soft indoor shoes or slippers, particularly those resembling moccasins. Can imply a sense of cosy, casual comfort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This term is almost exclusively British (likely UK-wide). American English does not use 'moccies' as a standard term for moccasins or slippers.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes domesticity, child-rearing, and informality. In the US, the word is unrecognizable or might be mistaken for a brand name or nonsense word.
Frequency
Extremely rare in published texts. Frequency is confined to spoken, familial contexts in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “moccies” in a Sentence
put on (one's) mocciestake off (one's) moccieswear (one's) mocciesVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Confined to informal, domestic UK speech, often with children.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “moccies”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “moccies”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moccies”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming it is a standard, widely understood term for 'moccasins'.
- Using it in American English contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a real colloquialism in British English, but it is not a standard dictionary entry. It exists in spoken, familial language.
No, it is not used or understood in American English. Use 'slippers' or 'moccasins' instead.
The word 'moccies' itself is typically used as a plural noun (like 'shoes'). One item would be called a 'moccy' in rare usage, but more commonly, you would refer to 'one moccasin' or 'one slipper'.
It originated as and often remains 'child-directed speech', but adults may use it among themselves in a humorous or nostalgic way to refer to comfortable indoor footwear.
An informal British term, typically a clipping of 'moccasins', referring to soft, comfortable shoes without laces.
Moccies is usually highly informal, colloquial, domestic in register.
Moccies: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒkiz/, and in American English it is pronounced Not applicable. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cosy UK living room: "Mum says, 'Pop your MOCcies On, Cuddle In, Everyone's Snug.'"
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS SOFT FOOTWEAR / DOMESTICITY IS INFORMAL CLOTHING
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'moccies' most likely to be used correctly?