a bundle of coarse yarn, a sponge, or other absorbent material, fastened at the end of a stick or handle for washing floors, dishes, etc.
a thick mass of hair.
a polishing wheel having several layers of cloth secured by a boss.
verb (used with object),mopped,mop·ping.
to rub, wipe, clean, or remove with a mop (often followed by up): to mop up a spill.
to wipe as if with a mop: to mop the face with a handkerchief.
verb (used without object),mopped,mop·ping.
to clean or wipe with or as if with a mop (often followed by up): First he swept, then he mopped up.
Verb Phrases
mop up,
Military.to clear (ground, trenches, towns, etc.) of scattered or remaining enemy combatants after attacking forces have conquered the area.
Informal.to dispose of; complete; finish: He mopped up the rest of his business and went on a vacation.
Idioms for mop
mop the floor with. floor (def. 20).
Origin of mop
1
1375–1425; earlier map,late Middle English mappe, apocopated variant of mappel<Medieval Latin mappula a cloth, equivalent to Latin mapp(a) napkin + -ula-ule
In person, Gondry is more Joel than Doc Brown—a fragile, soft-spoken man with a mop of curly brown hair.
Michel Gondry on ‘Mood Indigo,’ Kanye West, and the 10th Anniversary of ‘Eternal Sunshine’|Marlow Stern|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mop is made up of a large, graphic vinyl, an array of found objects, and a selection of images.
The 15 Best Things to See at Frieze Art Fair London 2013|Chloë Ashby|October 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“They believe when this is done they can mop up al Qaeda units,” he said.
Al Qaeda Clash With Free Syrian Army a New Stage of Opposition Split|Eli Lake|September 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Qalqilya is a religiously conservative city and Sajed with his mop top hair and baggy clothes was a misfit, but not for long.
If You Build It, They Will Skate|Maysoon Zayid|July 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One church executive was made to mop the bathroom floor with his tongue.
15 Scientology Revelations From Lawrence Wright’s ‘Going Clear’|The Daily Beast|January 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Bug's hair was a mop of soft ringlets, and his brown eyes and innocent baby face were appealing.
A Master's Degree|Margaret Hill McCarter
The firelight played on her mop of brown hair, bringing out its golden shades, and on the charming pensiveness of her face.
Lady Connie|Mrs. Humphry Ward
She follows you around, and the only thing that keeps her quiet is mopping, so you humour her; you let her mop.
Merton of the Movies|Harry Leon Wilson
Wait till I get my handkerchief, fellows, and mop up the flowing tears.
The Radio Boys at the Sending Station|Allen Chapman
One of them seems to have a mop in his hand;—the pail is out of sight.
The Works of William Hogarth: In a Series of Engravings|John Trusler
British Dictionary definitions for mop (1 of 3)
mop1
/ (mɒp) /
noun
an implement with a wooden handle and a head made of twists of cotton or a piece of synthetic sponge, used for polishing or washing floors, or washing dishes
something resembling this, such as a tangle of hair
verbmops, moppingormopped
(tr often foll by up) to clean or soak up with or as if with a mop
See also mop up
Word Origin for mop
C15 mappe, from earlier mappel, from Medieval Latin mappula cloth, from Latin mappa napkin
British Dictionary definitions for mop (2 of 3)
mop2
/ (mɒp) rare /
verbmops, moppingormopped
(intr)to make a grimace or sad expression (esp in the phrase mop and mow)
noun
such a face or expression
Word Origin for mop
C16: perhaps from Dutch moppen to pour; compare Dutch mop pug dog
British Dictionary definitions for mop (3 of 3)
mop3
/ (mɒp) /
noun
(in various parts of England) an annual fair at which formerly servants were hired
Word Origin for mop
C17: from the practice of servants carrying a mop, broom, or flail, etc, to signify the job sought