mooch

(mo̵̅o̅c̸h)

intransitive verb

  1. to skulk or sneak
  2. to loiter, loaf, or rove about
  3. to get food, money, etc. by begging or sponging

Origin: ME mowchen, dial. var. of mychen, to pilfer: see miche

transitive verb

  1. to steal; pilfer
  2. to get by begging or sponging; cadge

noun

a person who sponges off others

Related Forms:

See mooch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb mooched, mooch·ing, mooch·es
verb, transitive
  1. To obtain or try to obtain by begging; cadge. See Synonyms at cadge.
  2. To steal; filch.
verb, intransitive
  1. To get or try to get something free of charge; sponge: lived by mooching off friends.
  2. To wander about aimlessly.
  3. To skulk around; sneak.
noun
  1. One who begs or cadges; a sponge.
  2. A dupe, as in a confidence game.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English mowchen

Origin: , probably from Old French muchier, to hide, skulk

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Related Forms:

  • moochˈer noun

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