What does molelike mean?
Molelike means resembling a mole, with the usual reference being the small burrowing mammal rather than every object or medical condition that can be called a mole. The comparison may draw attention to an animal's compact body, pointed snout, soft-looking coat, or powerful forefeet adapted for digging. In general writing, the word can vividly suggest a creature whose appearance or movements are suited to life beneath the soil. It is an uncommon compound adjective and is often more immediately understandable in the hyphenated form “mole-like.” Because its meaning depends on an analogy with a familiar animal, it works especially well in descriptive or zoological contexts, although calling something molelike does not by itself establish that it is actually a mole or even a mammal.
adjectiveResembling a mole, especially the small, burrowing mammal. It may describe an animal's body shape, pointed snout, broad forefeet, or soft-looking coat.
- Resembling a mole, especially the small burrowing mammal, in appearance or characteristic features.
"The creature's velvety coat and powerful digging forefeet gave it a distinctly molelike appearance."
"The illustration depicts a small, molelike creature emerging from beneath the soil."
"Researchers described the amphibian as having a short, molelike body adapted for burrowing."
A mole is built for life underground: its pointed snout acts like a probe, while its broad forefeet are powerful shovels.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does molelike come from?
Molelike is a compound adjective formed in modern English from “mole” and the suffix-like, meaning “resembling.” The word “mole” in the animal sense comes from Old English, while the adjective-forming suffix -like was also present in Old English and has long been used to form descriptive compounds.
Related word forms
How molelike is actually used
This is an uncommon compound adjective. The hyphenated spelling “mole-like” may appear in edited prose, while the closed form is more natural in a dictionary or technical context.