mope
C1Informal. Common in narrative and descriptive contexts.
Definition
Meaning
To be gloomy, apathetic, and listless, often in a self-pitying way; to move or act in a despondent, unhurried manner.
To spend time in a state of aimless sadness, inactivity, or boredom, often while brooding over one's problems.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb implies a degree of self-indulgence in the sadness. The noun 'a mope' can refer to the act of moping or, informally, a person who mopes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The verb 'mope about' is more common in UK English; 'mope around' is slightly more common in US English.
Connotations
Consistently carries a mildly negative or critical connotation, suggesting the person should stop feeling sorry for themselves.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both varieties, with a slight edge in US usage.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
mope (intransitive)mope about/around (intransitive, phrasal verb)mope over/for [someone/something] (intransitive + prepositional phrase)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't just sit there and mope!”
- “He's been moping about like a lost soul.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in informal advice: 'Don't mope over the lost contract; let's focus on the next one.'
Academic
Very rare, except in literary analysis or psychological descriptions of character.
Everyday
Common for describing post-breakup, post-failure, or rainy-day moods.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He's been such a mope since the holiday ended.
- I'm not having a mope; I'm just thinking.
American English
- Stop being such a mope and come to the party!
- She had a bit of a mope yesterday but feels better today.
verb
British English
- After the team lost, he just moped about the house for days.
- Don't mope over a bit of rain; let's find something fun to do indoors.
American English
- She's been moping around since her best friend moved away.
- He moped for a week after not getting the promotion.
adjective
British English
- (Rare as adjective, used participially) He had a moping, listless air about him.
American English
- (Rare as adjective, used participially) She gave him a moping look from across the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child moped when his toy broke.
- It's no use moping about the weather; we can't change it.
- He spent the weekend moping around his flat, replaying the argument in his head.
- Rather than mope over the rejection, she channeled her energy into refining her portfolio.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sad person leaning against a MOP, too listless to even clean up their own gloomy feelings.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL STATE IS PHYSICAL INERTIA / SADNESS IS A HEAVY OBJECT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'to be bored' (скучать). Closer to 'тосковать' or 'хандрить', but with a hint of self-pity.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'mope' for severe depression (it's too mild).
- Using it transitively: 'He moped the loss' (incorrect).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'mope' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Mope' describes a temporary, often self-indulgent low mood. It is not a synonym for clinical depression.
Almost never in modern usage. It is primarily an intransitive verb (e.g., 'he moped'). You mope 'over' or 'about' something.
Both imply quiet unhappiness. 'Sulk' often implies being silent and resentful because of a specific grievance, while 'mope' suggests a more general, aimless, and lethargic sadness.
No. The noun form 'a mope' is more common than 'moper' to describe a person who mopes.