Mooch — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈmüch/

Meaning & Definition of Mooch

Mooch (verb)

  1. to get things from another or live off the generosity of others without providing any return payment or benefit
  2. to move slowly or apathetically, to wander aimlessly

Mooch (noun)

  1. one who mooches off others, moocher

Mooch (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility

    "he's always mooching off of his friends, even though he can easily pay his own way"

    similar: freeload, sponge
    related: leech, beg, exploit, use

  2. to move about in a sly or secret manner

    "I suspect she's mooching around in the background and keeping an eye on us"

    similar: lurk, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake, sneak, steal
    related: crawl, creep, edge, inch, worm, ghost, pad, tiptoe

  3. to move about from place to place aimlessly

    "kids on vacation mooching about the house and looking for something to do"

    similar: bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant, kick around, knock (about), maunder, meander, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse, wander
    related: amble, saunter, stroll, dawdle, mope, hobo, tramp, vagabond, mill (about or around), straggle, stray

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mooch

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mooch:

freeload, sponge, lurk, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, slink, slip, snake, sneak, steal, bat, cruise, drift, float, gad (about), gallivant, kick around, knock (about), maunder, meander, ramble, range, roam, rove, traipse, wander

Related Words for Mooch

leech, beg, exploit, use, crawl, creep, edge, inch, worm, ghost, pad, tiptoe, amble, saunter, stroll, dawdle, mope, hobo, tramp, vagabond, mill (about or around), straggle, stray

Word Forms of Mooch

Inflections: mooched, mooching, mooches

Origin & Etymology of Mooch

probably from French dialect muchier to hide, lurk

First known use: 1851

Words & Phrases Containing Mooch

mooch around/about

Frequently Asked Questions about Mooch

What does "Mooch" mean?

"Mooch" means to get things from another or live off the generosity of others without providing any return payment or benefit. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to get things from another or live off the generosity of others without providing any return payment or benefit. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mooch"?

Other words for "Mooch" include freeload, sponge, lurk, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk and slide. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mooch" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mooch"?

There are 52 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mooch". Common alternatives include freeload, sponge, lurk, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, slink and slip.

How do you use "Mooch" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mooch" in a sentence: "he's always mooching off of his friends, even though he can easily pay his own way"; "I suspect she's mooching around in the background and keeping an eye on us"; "kids on vacation mooching about the house and looking for something to do".

Is "Mooch" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Mooch" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Mooch"?

"Mooch" is pronounced /ˈmüch/.

What is the origin of the word "Mooch"?

"Mooch" comes from probably from French dialect muchier to hide, lurk. First known use: 1851.

What is another word for "Mooch" meaning "to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility"?

When "Mooch" (verb) means to live by relying on someone else's generosity or hospitality without sharing in the cost or responsibility, synonyms include freeload and sponge.