moldy

adjective

ˈmōl-dē How to pronounce moldy (audio)
moldier; moldiest
Synonyms of moldynext
1
: of, resembling, or covered with mold
2
a
: being old and moldering : crumbling
b
: antiquated, fusty
moldy tradition
moldiness noun

Examples of moldy in a Sentence

Her books became moldy after being left in a damp basement. The wine had a slightly moldy aroma.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The other chairs are occupied by large, moldy dolls. — Tom Gliatto, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025 Tamra replies, which is kind of like comparing rotten apples with moldy oranges, but fine, logic is not required here. — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025 Add raw broccoli sprouts to salads, sandwiches, soups, and smoothies, but avoid moldy broccoli sprouts. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 31 July 2025 Common signs of moldy books include a musty or earthy smell, discoloration (especially black, white, green, or orange spots), soft or fuzzy patches on the cover or pages, and warped or wavy pages due to moisture. — Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for moldy

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of moldy was in the 14th century

Rhymes for moldy

See All Rhymes for moldy

Browse Nearby Words

moldwarp
moldy
moldy corn poisoning
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Moldy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moldy. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

moldy

adjective
ˈmōl-dē How to pronounce moldy (audio)
moldier; moldiest
: resembling, containing, or covered with mold
moldiness noun

Medical Definition

moldy

adjective
variants or chiefly British mouldy
ˈmōl-dē How to pronounce moldy (audio)
moldier or chiefly British mouldier; mouldiest
: covered with a mold-producing fungus
moldy bread

More from Merriam-Webster on moldy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for moldy

Nglish: Translation of moldy for Spanish Speakers

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