mouldy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, especially in figurative/extended uses.
Quick answer
What does “mouldy” mean?
Covered with or smelling of mould (a fungus that grows on old food or damp surfaces).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Covered with or smelling of mould (a fungus that grows on old food or damp surfaces).
Old, stale, outdated, or of poor quality; also used figuratively to describe something boring, miserable, or worthless.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'mouldy' (UK) vs. 'moldy' (US). The figurative sense ('lousy', 'pathetic') is more established and frequent in UK usage.
Connotations
UK: Strong informal, often humorous or dismissive connotation in figurative use (e.g., 'a mouldy old sandwich', 'a mouldy performance'). US: More literal, with figurative use being less common and possibly perceived as a Britishism.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English due to broader semantic range (literal + common figurative). In US English, primarily literal.
Grammar
How to Use “mouldy” in a Sentence
[BE] mouldy[GO/TURN] mouldymouldy [NOUN]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mouldy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bread will mould if you leave it in that damp bag.
- The walls have begun to mould in the constant damp.
American English
- The bread will mold if you leave it in that damp bag.
- The walls have begun to mold in the constant damp.
adverb
British English
- Not standard. 'Mouldily' is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- Not standard. 'Moldily' is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- We had to throw out a mouldy loaf.
- He told a really mouldy old joke.
- I feel a bit mouldy today.
American English
- We had to throw out a moldy loaf.
- The basement had a moldy smell.
- That's a moldy old tradition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in informal critique: 'The proposal is a bit mouldy.'
Academic
Rare outside of biological/agricultural contexts describing decay.
Everyday
Common for describing spoiled food, damp rooms, or informally for bad things.
Technical
Used in mycology, food science, and building conservation to describe fungal infestation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mouldy”
- Misspelling as 'moldy' in UK contexts or 'mouldy' in strict US contexts.
- Using it for 'dusty' or 'dirty' without the fungal element.
- Overusing the figurative sense in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Mouldy' specifically implies visible fungal growth. 'Musty' describes a stale, damp smell, often associated with mould but without specifying visible growth.
Not literally. Figuratively, in very informal British English, you might say someone is 'a mouldy old git' (a miserable/unpleasant old person) or that they 'look mouldy' (look unwell).
No. Its literal use is standard but informal. Its figurative uses are firmly informal/colloquial.
In American English, the standard spelling is 'moldy' (no 'u').
Covered with or smelling of mould (a fungus that grows on old food or damp surfaces).
Mouldy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈməʊldi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmoʊldi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Feel mouldy (informal BrE: feel unwell or miserable)”
- “Not worth a mouldy fig (worthless)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine an OLD YOGHURT pot in the back of the fridge, covered in green fuzz. MOULD-Y = Old Yoghurt.
Conceptual Metaphor
BAD IS ROTTEN / UNPLEASANT IS DECAYING (e.g., 'mouldy old laws', 'a mouldy atmosphere').
Practice
Quiz
In informal British English, if someone says 'I feel mouldy', what do they most likely mean?