mould: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral (common in technical, domestic, and figurative contexts)
Quick answer
What does “mould” mean?
a hollow container that gives shape to a soft or liquid substance as it hardens.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a hollow container that gives shape to a soft or liquid substance as it hardens.
1. A furry growth of minute fungi on organic matter. 2. A distinctive and typical style, form, or character. 3. The process of shaping or influencing.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English exclusively uses 'mould' for all meanings. American English uses 'mold' for all meanings.
Connotations
Identical in connotation across variants; only spelling differs.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both dialects, with spelling adjusted accordingly.
Grammar
How to Use “mould” in a Sentence
[NP] mould [NP] (into NP)[NP] be moulded by [NP][NP] mould [to NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mould” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The potter will mould the clay into a vase.
- His experiences moulded his worldview.
American English
- The sculptor will mold the clay into a figure.
- Her teachings molded his philosophy.
adverb
British English
- This clay moulds very easily.
- The policy was mouldably vague.
American English
- This clay molds very easily.
- The material is moldably flexible.
adjective
British English
- The mouldy bread was thrown away.
- We need a mould-making specialist.
American English
- The moldy cheese was discarded.
- It's a mold-making technique.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing (e.g., 'injection moulding') and leadership ('moulding a team').
Academic
Common in history/sociology for shaping societies/ideas, and biology for fungal growth.
Everyday
Most frequent in DIY/cleaning (fungus) and cooking/baking (jelly mould).
Technical
Precise in manufacturing, mycology, and metallurgy.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mould”
- Misspelling as 'molud' or 'mold' in UK context.
- Using 'mould' as a verb without an object (e.g., 'The clay moulds easily' is correct, but 'He moulds' is incomplete).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
UK uses 'mould', US uses 'mold'. Pronunciation is identical.
As a container or a type of fungus, it is countable (a mould, several moulds). As the substance or growth, it can be uncountable (some mould).
A 'mould' is the hollow container. A 'cast' is the object produced by pouring material into the mould.
Yes, especially in figurative senses (e.g., 'mould a successful team', 'break the mould' for innovation). The fungal sense is always negative.
a hollow container that gives shape to a soft or liquid substance as it hardens.
Mould is usually neutral (common in technical, domestic, and figurative contexts) in register.
Mould: in British English it is pronounced /məʊld/, and in American English it is pronounced /moʊld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “break the mould”
- “cast in the same mould”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an OLD, U-shaped MOULD for making gold objects. The 'U' in 'mould' can remind you of the hollow shape.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/SOCIETY ARE PHYSICAL OBJECTS THAT CAN BE SHAPED (e.g., 'mould public opinion').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mould' used figuratively?