mop

A tool with a long handle and cloth or thick threads for washing floors.

• Where is the mop?
• She cleaned the kitchen floor with a mop.
• These mops have long wooden handles.

Common phrases: a wet mop, mop and bucket, mop handle

A thick mass of hair, often untidy.

• He has a mop of curls.
• Her thick mop of hair hid her face.
• He tried to brush his unruly mop.

How to use it: mop of hair (A mop of dark hair covered his forehead.)

Common phrases: mop of hair, a curly mop, a thick mop

An act of washing or wiping a floor with a long-handled cleaning tool.

• The floor needs a mop.
• I gave the kitchen tiles a quick mop.
• A thorough mop removed the muddy marks.

How to use it: give something a mop (Give the floor a mop before the guests arrive.)

Similar words: wash, wipe

Common phrases: a quick mop, a thorough mop

Clean or wipe something with a long-handled cloth tool or with a cloth.

• Please mop the floor.
• He mopped up the milk.
• She mopped her brow with a cloth.

How to use it: mop up something (She mopped up the spilled water.)

Similar words: wipe, clean

Common phrases: mop the floor, mop up something, mop your brow