Mosey

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈmoÊŠ.zi/

Alternative forms

• mosy, mozey, mozy

Origin

Unknown. US southernism; conjecturally linked to Spanish vamos (see vamoose) and to British dialectical mose about. May be derived from Alkonkian languages from the root verb to walk, pimose.

Full definition of mosey

Verb

1. (chiefly US, dialectal) To set off, get going; to start a journey.
• 1910, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Kilmeny of the Orchard, ch. 1,Haven't got time. I must mosey up to the North End to see a man who has got a lovely throat. Nobody can find out what is the matter. He has puzzled all the doctors.
2. (chiefly US, dialectal) To amble; to walk or proceed in a leisurely manner.
• 1919, William MacLeod Raine, A Man Four-Square, ch. 6,We'll mosey along toward the river. Kinder take it easy an' drift the herd down slow so as to let the cattle put on flesh.

Usage notes

Associated especially with the dialect of the Old West.