mold
B2Neutral (formal and informal). Technical in manufacturing/biology contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A hollow container into which a soft or liquid substance is poured to set into a specific shape; a furry growth of fungus that decomposes organic matter.
To shape or form something; to influence someone's character; the distinctive physical shape or nature of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Two distinct core meanings (container/fungus) with a bridging metaphorical meaning (to shape/influence). The verb is primarily associated with the 'shape' sense.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the spelling for all senses is 'mould'. In American English, 'mold' is the standard spelling. The pronunciation differs slightly.
Connotations
Identical across varieties. Fungal sense carries negative connotations of decay and uncleanliness. The 'shape/influence' sense is neutral or slightly positive (e.g., 'mold young minds').
Frequency
Both senses are common. The fungal sense is highly frequent in domestic/health contexts. The shaping sense is common in manufacturing, art, and figurative language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
mold [OBJ] (into [OBJ])mold [OBJ] (on/upon [OBJ])be molded from [OBJ][OBJ] + mold (e.g., 'bread develops mold')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Break the mold (be innovative)”
- “Fit the mold (conform)”
- “Cast in the same mold (very similar)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In manufacturing: 'injection molding', 'mold design'. In HR: 'to mold the company culture'.
Academic
In biology: 'fungal mold'. In social sciences: 'molded by societal pressures'.
Everyday
Domestic: 'There's mold in the shower.' Creative: 'She molded the clay into a vase.'
Technical
Specific terms like 'sand casting mold', 'Penicillium mold', 'compression molding'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The potter moulded the wet clay with her hands.
- His experiences moulded his worldview.
American English
- The artist molded the sculpture from wax.
- Teachers help to mold children's attitudes.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
- Not commonly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The mouldy cheese was thrown away.
- A mould-affected wall.
American English
- Don't eat that moldy bread.
- Mold remediation is expensive.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The old bread had green mold on it.
- We used a mold to make sandcastles.
- You need to clean the shower to prevent mold.
- The jelly sets in a plastic mold in the fridge.
- The damp climate encourages the growth of mold in houses.
- His leadership style was molded by his early career in the military.
- The novel's protagonist breaks the mold of the traditional hero.
- The composite material is injection-molded into complex components.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MOLD can Mean Or Liquid Design (the container) or Mean Organic Life Decay (the fungus).
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/PEOPLE ARE PHYSICAL SUBSTANCES THAT CAN BE SHAPED ('mold public opinion').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'молод' (young). 'Mold' as fungus = плесень. 'Mold' as shape = форма (для литья), лекало.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'mold' (fungus/shape) with 'molt' (shed skin/feathers). Incorrect: 'The snake will mold its skin.' Correct: 'The snake will molt its skin.'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'mold' used in a figurative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a spelling difference. 'Mold' is American English. 'Mould' is British English. The meanings and pronunciations are equivalent.
No. As a verb, 'mold' only relates to shaping or influencing. The fungus is only a noun (e.g., 'The bread molded' is incorrect; 'The bread developed mold' or 'became moldy' is correct).
It depends on context. The fungal sense is negative (decay, health hazard). The shaping sense is neutral or positive (creativity, influence). The idiom 'break the mold' is positive (innovative).
"Break the mold" is a very common idiom meaning to do something in a new and different way, departing from tradition.