mola: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / SpecializedFormal / Technical / Anthropological
Quick answer
What does “mola” mean?
A type of sunfish (Mola mola), a large, round, ocean-dwelling fish.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of sunfish (Mola mola), a large, round, ocean-dwelling fish.
A brightly colored, reverse-appliqué textile panel made by the Indigenous Guna people of Panama and Colombia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage for either meaning. Both referents are recognized in both dialects.
Connotations
In both dialects, the fish connotes marine biology and ocean wildlife. The textile connotes indigenous art, craftsmanship, and cultural studies.
Frequency
Overall frequency is low in both dialects. In cultural/anthropological circles, the textile meaning may be slightly more frequent; in marine biology contexts, the fish meaning dominates.
Grammar
How to Use “mola” in a Sentence
[The] mola [is/verb]...A [adjective] mola [noun]...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused, except potentially in niche tourism (e.g., 'selling authentic molas').
Academic
Used in marine biology (fish) and anthropology/art history (textile).
Everyday
Very rarely used; most speakers would not know the word without specific context.
Technical
Used precisely in zoology (order Tetraodontiformes) and ethnography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mola”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mola”
- Using 'mola' without providing context, leading to ambiguity.
- Confusing 'mola' (fish) with 'molar' (tooth).
- Mispronouncing it as /mɒlə/ or /məʊlɑː/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are complete homographs from different origins. 'Mola' the fish comes from Latin for 'millstone', describing its shape. 'Mola' the textile comes from the Guna language.
No, it is a rare and specialized term. Most English speakers would not know it without specific exposure to marine biology or indigenous art.
No, 'mola' is exclusively a noun in contemporary English for both meanings.
Context is crucial. Words like 'sunfish', 'ocean', or 'marine' indicate the fish. Words like 'Guna', 'textile', 'panel', or 'appliqué' indicate the fabric art.
A type of sunfish (Mola mola), a large, round, ocean-dwelling fish.
Mola is usually formal / technical / anthropological in register.
Mola: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊlə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a large, round fish (MOON-like) sunning itself on the ocean surface: MOON + SUN = MOLA. For the textile, think of MOLAs as colorful fabric LAYERS.
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you most likely encounter the term 'mola' referring to a cultural artifact?