noun
Uncommon
moe
MOH-ay
Moe (noun) means an intense, often fetishistic fondness for fictional characters from anime, manga, or video games. Example: “Fans online argued over which anime character best represented moe.”
noun
1
An intense, often fetishistic fondness for fictional characters from anime, manga, or video games.
"Fans online argued over which anime character best represented moe."
2
(slang) A close friend.
"He's been my moe since we were kids."
adj
1
Cute or adorable in the specific style associated with anime and manga characters.
"The character was drawn in an exaggeratedly moe style, with huge eyes."
How to use moe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Japanese pop-culture term for an intense, often innocent-seeming affection for a fictional character's cuteness.
When to use it
Mostly used within anime and manga fan communities; not common in general English.
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Word forms
- Plural
- moes
- Comparative
- more moe, moe-er
- Superlative
- most moe, moe-est
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Fans online argued over which anime character best represented _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese moe (萌え), literally "budding" or "sprouting," from the verb moeru, "to bud" or "sprout."
Rhymes for moe
See all rhymes for moe →Frequently asked questions
What does “moe” mean?
The word “moe” means an intense, often fetishistic fondness for fictional characters from anime, manga, or video games. In plain terms, a Japanese pop-culture term for an intense, often innocent-seeming affection for a fictional character's cuteness.
How do you pronounce “moe”?
“Moe” is pronounced MOH-ay (/ˈmoʊ.eɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “moe” in a sentence?
Here is “moe” used in a sentence: “Fans online argued over which anime character best represented moe.”
What part of speech is “moe”?
Depending on how it is used, “moe” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “moe” come from?
The word “moe” comes from Japanese. Borrowed from Japanese moe (萌え), literally "budding" or "sprouting," from the verb moeru, "to bud" or "sprout.".
Is “moe” a common word?
“Moe” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “moe” have?
“Moe” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an intense, often fetishistic fondness for fictional characters from anime, manga, or video games.
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