mooch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “mooch” mean?
To obtain (something) from someone without paying or working for it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To obtain (something) from someone without paying or working for it; to ask for or take things in a lazy or unscrupulous way.
To move or act slowly, aimlessly, or without purpose; to loiter or wander.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The 'obtain without paying' sense is dominant in AmE. In BrE, the 'loiter/wander' sense is equally or more common.
Connotations
In AmE, strongly associated with being a freeloader. In BrE, the 'wandering' sense is often seen as harmless, if slightly idle.
Frequency
More frequent in AmE overall, particularly in the 'scrounge' sense. The 'wander' sense is primarily BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “mooch” in a Sentence
VERB + off + PERSON/SOURCE (e.g., mooch off his parents)VERB + around/about + PLACE (e.g., mooch around the shops)VERB + OBJECT + from/off + PERSON (e.g., mooch money from his friends)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mooch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He spent the afternoon mooching about the old bookshop.
- She managed to mooch a free ticket to the gig.
American English
- My cousin tries to mooch off me every time he visits.
- He's always mooching cigarettes from his coworkers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Considered unprofessional.
Academic
Not used in formal writing. May appear in informal speech or literary dialogue.
Everyday
Common in informal speech to describe someone who takes advantage of others' generosity or who is idly passing time.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mooch”
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Confusing the British 'wander' sense with the American 'scrounge' sense, leading to cross-cultural misunderstanding.
- Incorrectly using 'mooch' as a formal synonym for 'borrow'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be perceived as critical or dismissive, especially in the 'scrounge' sense, as it labels someone as a freeloader. The 'wander' sense is less offensive.
Yes, informally. A 'mooch' or 'moocher' is a person who habitually mooches (scrounges). The phrase 'on the mooch' means looking for something to scrounge.
They are very close synonyms in the 'scrounge' sense. 'Bum' is slightly more informal and can be considered more vulgar in some contexts. 'Mooch' has the additional 'loiter' meaning that 'bum' lacks.
No, the standard IPA transcription /muːtʃ/ is the same for both. The vowel sound is the long 'oo' as in 'moo'.
To obtain (something) from someone without paying or working for it.
Mooch is usually informal, slang in register.
Mooch: in British English it is pronounced /muːtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /muːtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's always on the mooch.”
- “Stop mooching off the system!”
- “to have a mooch around the market”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a lazy cow (which says 'MOO') slowly wandering over to CH(eese) on your plate and taking it without asking. MOO + CH = MOOCH.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF PURPOSE IS AIMLESS MOVEMENT / RESOURCES ARE THINGS TO BE TAKEN WITHOUT EFFORT
Practice
Quiz
In British English, what is a common meaning of 'to mooch'?