moola: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-to-Mid. Common in informal or slang contexts but not in formal use.Informal, slang, humorous. Typically found in casual conversation, entertainment, and advertising.
Quick answer
What does “moola” mean?
Informal term for money.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Informal term for money.
An unspecified or significant amount of cash. Often used to emphasize the exchange of money, especially large sums.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both variants but may be perceived as slightly more American. The spelling variant 'moolah' is equally common, with no geographic preference.
Connotations
Playful, sometimes with a connotation of easy or 'cool' wealth. Not inherently pejorative.
Frequency
Generally low frequency in formal contexts but familiar to most native speakers through media. More likely in spoken than written English.
Grammar
How to Use “moola” in a Sentence
[Subject] + verb (make/earn/spend) + some/that/a lot of + moola[Amount] + of moolamoola + for + [item/activity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “moola” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's trying to moola his way into the club. (very rare/creative use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in formal business. Might appear in internal, very casual banter or startup culture to refer to funding.
Academic
Not used in academic writing except in linguistic or sociological studies of slang.
Everyday
The primary context. Used humorously among friends, in lighthearted discussions about purchases, salaries, or costs.
Technical
Not used in technical fields like finance or law.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moola”
- Using it in formal writing or speech.
- Overusing it, which can sound affected or trying too hard to be casual.
- Spelling: 'moola' and 'moolah' are both acceptable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's generally a playful, inoffensive slang term. However, like any money-related slang, context matters—talking about 'moola' in a serious financial hardship situation could be seen as insensitive.
The exact etymology is uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in American English in the early 20th century. It is often cited as originating in the 1930s, possibly from Romani 'mol' (meaning 'have value') or as a fabricated commercial-sounding word.
It is strongly advised against. 'Moola' is informal slang and would be considered unprofessional in a standard business meeting. Use 'funds', 'capital', 'budget', or simply 'money' instead.
Yes, it is understood and used in British English, though some might perceive it as an Americanism. British English has its own rich slang for money (e.g., dosh, quid, smackers), which are often preferred.
Informal term for money.
Moola is usually informal, slang, humorous. typically found in casual conversation, entertainment, and advertising. in register.
Moola: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmuːlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmuːlə/ or colloquially /ˈmuːlɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Where's the moola?”
- “Follow the moola (derived from 'follow the money')”
- “Moola makes the world go round (variation of 'money')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MOOing cow (MOO-la) being sold for MONEY at a market.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A (PLEASURABLE) SUBSTANCE. It is something you can have 'lots of', 'pile up', and 'spend'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'moola' be LEAST appropriate?