1 B1 informal
To move about in a sad, listless way because you are unhappy or feeling sorry for yourself.
"She spent the whole weekend moping around the house after she failed her driving test."
mope around
B1 informal intransitive
To move around in a gloomy, listless way, feeling sad or sorry for oneself.
In plain English
Walk around slowly looking sad and not wanting to do anything.
What does "mope around" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To spend time in a depressed or unmotivated state, lacking the energy or will to do anything constructive.
"There's no point in moping around — you didn't get that job, but there are plenty of others out there."
Usage tip
Common in both British and American English. Often used with mild exasperation. 'Mope around the house' is a very frequent collocation. Typically describes someone dwelling in unhappiness after a disappointment or loss.
Words that pair with "mope around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
house apartment all day stop school bedroom
How to conjugate "mope around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
mope around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mopes around
he/she/it
Past simple
moped around
yesterday
Past participle
moped around
have + pp
-ing form
moping around
continuous
Hear "mope around" in the wild
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