molly

noun mol·ly \ ˈmä-lē \

variants: or less commonly mollie

Definition of molly

plural mollies

: any of various small, often brightly colored tropical fish (genus Poecilia) that are live-bearers found in fresh, brackish, or salt water and include several that are highly valued as aquarium fishes

See molly defined for kids

Recent Examples of molly from the Web

Police obtained a search warrant for his apartment on Inglewood Drive and, on Dec. 27 found fentanyl, the club-drug molly and a gun inside, according to court records.

— cory shaffer, cleveland.com, "Investigators track woman's fatal overdose to Cleveland Heights prostitution ring," 29 July 2017
Round 4, Pick 115 David Sharpe, OT, Florida: And here’s Dave Gettleman’s hog molly – a 6-foot-6, 343-pounder who underachieved for Gators but is necessary insurance for Michael Oher.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "2017 Carolina Panthers mock draft: NC flavors this pick-by-pick projection," 26 Apr. 2017
Round 4, Pick 115 David Sharpe, OT, Florida: And here’s Dave Gettleman’s hog molly – a 6-foot-6, 343-pounder who underachieved for Gators but is necessary insurance for Michael Oher.

— joseph person, charlotteobserver, "2017 Carolina Panthers mock draft: NC flavors this pick-by-pick projection," 26 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'molly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of molly

by shortening from New Latin Mollienisia, former genus name, from Comte François N. Mollien †1850 French statesman

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1933

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

Molly

noun Mol·ly \ ˈmä-lē \

medical Definition of Molly

: the illicit drug ecstasy especially when in a powdered or crystalline form contained in a capsule

Experts say Molly, though often touted as pure, is often mixed with other drugs and ingredients, perhaps even more than the Ecstasy of yesteryear.
—Helena Oliveiro, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8 June 2013