What does mosey mean?
To mosey is to walk at a relaxed, unhurried pace, usually without a firm destination. The word often suggests an easy, pleasant wander in which the walker is free to stop, look around, or change direction. It can also be used figuratively, especially of speech, writing, or a process that proceeds at a leisurely rate. Although mosey is firmly established in informal English in Britain and the United States, its tone is generally more playful than that of stroll or amble. It can convey a degree of aimlessness, but it does not necessarily imply idleness or delay. The expression “mosey along” is particularly common, as in “Come in and mosey along,” where it conveys a warm invitation to join someone in a relaxed way.
verbTo walk slowly and casually, especially without a definite destination or urgent purpose.
- To walk slowly, casually, or without a particular destination.
- To move or proceed at an unhurried pace.
"After lunch, we moseyed through the old quarter, stopping whenever a shop window caught our attention."
"We moseyed around the market, buying flowers and sampling cheese."
"The report moseys through its subject with more charm than urgency."
To mosey is to let the journey take its own time, with no itinerary more demanding than the next pleasant sight.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mosey come from?
The origin of mosey is uncertain. The verb appeared in English in the early nineteenth century, but its formation has not been securely traced to a known earlier word. Its later figurative use developed naturally from the image of walking at a slow, leisurely pace.
Related word forms
How mosey is actually used
Informal and mildly humorous. The word often conveys an unhurried, aimless or leisurely quality and may be used figuratively for writing or speech that proceeds without haste.