moe
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Strong interest in, and especially fetishistic attraction towards, fictional characters in anime, manga, video games, and/or similar media.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Someone who is pretty or beautiful isn't moe by definition. Moe characters don't always have to be younger girls, but it certainly helps! In fact, moe characters don't even have to be female! As long as they make you feel like you want to hug and protect them, that's enough!
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “moe” mean?
Strong interest in, and especially fetishistic attraction towards, fictional characters in anime, manga, video games, and/or similar media.
Is “moe” formal or informal?
moe is generally slang.