What does mope mean?
The word mope describes behavior that is outwardly dejected, often involving sulking, withdrawal, or listless activity. It generally implies more than simply feeling sad: the person continues to display that mood through their conduct, sometimes for an extended period. Common expressions include moping about and moping around, and the word can sound gently critical when used by someone else. Although it may be applied to a person moping after a disappointment, it is especially common in informal descriptions of teenagers, romantic disappointment, or prolonged unhappiness. The related noun denotes a person given to such behavior. In British and American English, mope remains an informal, everyday word rather than a formal psychological term. Its relatively short sound and strong portrayal of sulking make it especially useful in fiction and conversational writing.
To sulk, brood, or behave dejectedly; to move about with a sad, listless manner.
"She stopped moping and decided to go out with her friends."
Informal and usually intransitive; often implies that the behavior is conspicuous or prolonged.
A person who mopes or behaves dejectedly.
"The cartoon portrays a gloomy office worker who becomes an habitual mope."
The noun is less common than the verb and is chiefly informal.
The plural is used when referring to more than one person who behaves dejectedly.
"The two mopes sit silently at opposite ends of the waiting room."
Dutch lent English a concise word for the full art of sulking.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mope come from?
The word entered English in the early 17th century from Dutch mopen, meaning “to pout” or “sulk.” Its English usage developed from this physical expression of displeasure into the modern sense of behaving dejectedly. The verb and the later person-denoting noun have continued the same basic meaning.
Related word forms
How mope is actually used
The word is informal and often carries a mildly dismissive or impatient connotation, suggesting conspicuous or persistent sulking. It is normally intransitive and is less common as a noun.
Easily confused with mope
A mop is a tool for cleaning floors, whereas to mope is to sulk or behave dejectedly.