mole

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Medicine

n. a small, dark, permanent mark on a person's skin.

n. a pigmented, typically slightly raised spot on the human skin, medically known as a melanocytic naevus.

“She went to the doctor to check a new mole on her shoulder.”

“Dermatologists recommend monitoring any mole that changes shape or colour, as this can be an early indicator of skin cancer.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a spy who works inside an organisation to steal secrets for an enemy.

n. an agent who joins an enemy organisation to gather intelligence and betray secrets from within over a long period.

Español:topo

“The police suspected there was a mole in the department leaking information to criminals.”

“The intelligence agency spent years trying to identify the mole who had been compromising their overseas operations since the late nineties.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a scientific unit used to measure the amount of a substance.

n. the SI base unit for the amount of substance, defined as containing exactly 6.02214076×10²³ elementary entities.

Español:mol

“In chemistry class, we learned how to calculate the number of moles in a liquid.”

“To determine the precise concentration of the solution, the researcher first calculated the number of moles of solute present in the sample.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Cooking

n. a type of spicy Mexican sauce, often made with chili and chocolate.

n. a traditional Mexican sauce or marinade made from a complex mixture of chillies, spices, and sometimes unsweetened chocolate.

“We ordered chicken with mole sauce at the new Mexican restaurant.”

“The chef prepared a traditional mole poblano, which requires a lengthy simmering process to balance the heat of the peppers with the richness of the cocoa.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a large stone wall built in the sea to protect a port from waves.

n. a massive stone structure, such as a breakwater or pier, designed to protect a harbour from the force of the sea.

“The ships stayed safe inside the harbour behind the thick stone mole.”

“The ancient port was protected by a massive mole that extended several hundred metres into the bay, shielding the fleet from northern gales.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Slang · Vulgar · Dialect

n. a very rude and mean word for a woman.

n. a highly derogatory and offensive term for a woman, primarily used in Australian and New Zealand English.

“He got into trouble for calling the woman a mole during the argument.”

“The use of the term 'mole' as a gendered slur is considered extremely offensive in contemporary Australian social contexts.”