A mole is a natural dark spot or small dark lump on someone's skin.
2. countable noun
A mole is a small animal with black fur that lives underground.
3. countable noun
A mole is a member of a government or other organization who gives secret information to the press or to a rival organization.
MI5 has tried to recruit him as a mole.
More Synonyms of mole
mole in British English1
(məʊl)
noun
1.
any small burrowing mammal, of the family Talpidae, of Europe, Asia, and North and Central America: order Insectivora (insectivores). They have velvety, typically dark fur and forearms specialized for digging
2. golden mole
3. informal
a spy who has infiltrated an organization and, often over a long period, become a trusted member of it
Word origin
C14: from Middle Dutch mol, of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German mol
mole in British English2
(məʊl)
noun
1.
a breakwater
2.
a harbour protected by a breakwater
3.
a large tunnel excavator for use in soft rock
Word origin
C16: from French môle, from Latin mōlēs mass
mole in British English3
(məʊl)
noun
pathology a nontechnical name for naevus
Word origin
Old English māl; related to Old High German meil spot
mole in British English4
(məʊl)
noun
the basic SI unit of amount of substance; the amount that contains as many elementary entities as there are atoms in 0.012 kilogram of carbon-12. The entity must be specified and may be an atom, a molecule, an ion, a radical, an electron, a photon, etc
Symbol: mol
Word origin
C20: from German Mol, short for Molekülmolecule
mole in British English5
(məʊl)
noun
pathology
a fleshy growth in the uterus formed by the degeneration of fetal tissues
Word origin
C17: medical use of Latin mola millstone
mole in British English6
(ˈməʊleɪ)
noun
a spicy Mexican sauce made from chili and chocolate
Word origin
C20: from Mexican Spanish from Nahuatl molli sauce
mole in American English1
(moʊl)
noun
a small, congenital spot on the human skin, usually dark-colored and slightly raised, often hairy
Word origin
ME < OE mal, akin to Goth mail < IE base *mai-, to spot > Gr miainein, to sully
mole in American English2
(moʊl)
noun
1.
any of various small, burrowing insectivores (esp. family Talpidae) with small eyes and ears, shovel-like forefeet, and soft fur: moles live mainly underground
2.
a spy who infiltrates and is assimilated into the ranks of an enemy intelligence agency, government staff, etc., usually long before engaging in any spying activities
Word origin
ME molle, akin to or < MDu mol, < Gmc *mug- > mow2, OHG mol: orig. sense, “mound maker”
mole in American English3
(moʊl)
noun
1.
a barrier of stone, etc. built in the water to protect from the force of the waves, as a breakwater
2.
a harbor or anchorage so formed or protected
Word origin
Fr môle < LGr mōlos < L moles, a mass, dam, mole < IE *mo-lo- < base *mo-, to strive > Gr mōlos, effort, Ger müde, tired
mole in American English4
(moʊl)
noun
1. Chemistry
the quantity of a chemical substance having a weight in grams numerically equal to its molecular weight: one mole of a substance contains 6.022137 × 1023 molecules
2.
the amount of a substance containing the same number of units, including molecules,atoms, or ions, as there are atoms in 12 grams of pure carbon-12: a basic unit in the SI system
abbrev. mol
Word origin
Ger mol, short for molekulargewicht, molecular weight
mole in American English5
(moʊl)
noun
1.
a marked growth of grapelike masses of fetal placental tissue
2.
any of various fleshy or bloody masses in the uterus
Word origin
Fr môle < L mola, false conception, millstone: for IE base see mill1
mole in American English6
(ˈmoʊleɪ)
noun
any of various spicy Mexican sauces for meat or poultry, typically made with chilies, tomatoes, spices, and ground nuts; esp., such a sauce containing bitter chocolate
My moles tell me senior players are unhappy with his training methods and backroom staff.
The Sun (2012)
Most people have a skin mole that they are slightly uncertain about.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Her mother also has a variety of moles and brown skin patches.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It also makes moles grow darker.
The Sun (2012)
The more skin moles people have the longer they may live, new research suggests.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She spotted a mole which looked unusual and went to the doctor, who referred her to a specialist.
The Sun (2015)
Other risk factors include a family history of skin cancer, a large number of moles and fair skin.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There's a mole leaking secrets.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I had the mole removed and skin from around it which left me with a huge scar on my tummy.
The Sun (2011)
How can I spot a dangerous mole?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
My stable mole tells me connections are convinced this smart novice is a genuine Champion Hurdle contender.
The Sun (2008)
It is crucial people see their GP as soon as they notice any unusual changes to their skin or moles.
The Sun (2013)
Last week, we were asked to take part in a German documentary uncovering some of the most recent research into moles on your skin.
The Sun (2015)
Internet forums show that many users find they have more moles on their skin - and men who inject have found they've had sustained and painful erections.
The Sun (2012)
If you notice a new mole or spot an existing one is changing shape or colour or becoming itchy, painful or t bleeds, then see your doctor.
The Sun (2015)
Word lists with
mole
shrew
In other languages
mole
British English: mole /məʊl/ NOUN
animal A mole is a small animal with black fur that lives under the ground.
American English: mole mammal
Arabic: خُلْد
Brazilian Portuguese: toupeira
Chinese: 鼹鼠
Croatian: krtica
Czech: krtek
Danish: muldvarp dyr
Dutch: mol dier
European Spanish: topo animal
Finnish: myyrä
French: taupe animal
German: Maulwurf
Greek: τυφλοπόντικας
Italian: talpa
Japanese: モグラ mammal
Korean: 두더지
Norwegian: muldvarp
Polish: kret
European Portuguese: toupeira
Romanian: cârtiță
Russian: крот
Latin American Spanish: topo
Swedish: mullvad
Thai: ตัวตุ่น
Turkish: köstebek hayvan
Ukrainian: кріт
Vietnamese: chuột chũi
British English: mole /məʊl/ NOUN
person A mole is a person who works for an organization and gives secret information about it to other people or to its enemies.
He was suspected of being a government mole.
American English: mole infiltrator
Arabic: عَمِيل
Brazilian Portuguese: espião
Chinese: 间谍
Croatian: špijun
Czech: špion
Danish: spion
Dutch: spion
European Spanish: topo agente
Finnish: johonkin järjestöön soluttautunut vakooja
French: taupe espion
German: Spion
Greek: κατάσκοπος
Italian: talpa
Japanese: スパイ infiltrator
Korean: 스파이
Norwegian: muldvarp
Polish: szpieg
European Portuguese: espião
Romanian: cârtiță
Russian: агент разведки, создавший себе легальное положение в другой стране