Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):

   • To move or act in a slow, idle, or aimless manner; to wander or loiter without a clear purpose.
   • To obtain something by asking or begging without intending to repay or reciprocate; to sponge off others.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To beg or obtain (something, especially money or small items) from someone without paying or intending to repay.
   • (Informal, chiefly British) To steal or pilfer something.

3. Noun:

   • A person who habitually asks for or takes things from others without giving anything in return; a parasite or freeloader.
   • (Informal) An instance of loitering or wandering.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (intransitive):

  • He spent the afternoon just mooching around the house. (Describes aimless activity.)
  • She's always mooching off her friends for meals. (Describes habitually getting things for free.)

• Verb (transitive):

  • Can I mooch a cigarette from you? (Asks to obtain a small item for free.)
  • He mooched a few dollars for the bus fare. (Describes obtaining money without repayment.)

• Noun:

  • Don't be such a mooch; buy your own coffee. (Refers to a person who freeloads.)
  • I went for a mooch in the park to clear my head. (Refers to an aimless stroll.)

Advanced Usage

• "to mooch about/around": To spend time in a place with no particular purpose; to loiter.

  • He was just mooching about the shopping mall all day.

• "to mooch off (of) someone": To habitually rely on someone for financial support, food, or other resources without contributing.

  • He's 30 years old and still mooching off his parents.

Variants and Related Words

• Moocher (noun): A more common variant for the noun form, meaning a person who mooches.
  • That guy is a notorious moocher; he never buys a round of drinks.

Synonyms

• Verb: Cadge, sponge, scrounge, bum, freeload, loiter, wander.
• Noun: Freeloader, parasite, sponger, cadger, scrounger.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Mooch off/around: As defined in "Advanced Usage" above.
• Mooch along: (Less common) To proceed in a slow, unhurried manner.
  • We mooched along the riverbank, enjoying the sunshine.

Related Idioms

• "On the mooch": (Informal, chiefly British) Actively seeking to obtain things for free from others.
  • He's always on the mooch, looking for free tickets or a free meal.

Noun

1. someone who mooches or cadges (tries to get something free)

Verb

1. ask for and get free; be a parasite