Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Name That Thing

Take our visual vocab quiz

Test Your Knowledge »

True or False?

A quick quiz about stuff worth knowing

Take It Now »

Join Us on FB & Twitter

Get the Word of the Day and More

Facebook | Twitter

mildew


1mil·dew

noun \ˈmil-ˌdü, -ˌdyü\

Definition of MILDEW

1
a : a superficial usually whitish growth produced especially on organic matter or living plants by fungi (as of the families Erysiphaceae and Peronosporaceae) b : a fungus producing mildew
2
: a discoloration caused by fungi
mil·dewy \-ē\ adjective

Examples of MILDEW

  1. The basement's damp walls were covered with mildew.

Origin of MILDEW

Middle English, from Old English meledēaw honeydew; akin to Old High German militou honeydew
First Known Use: 14th century

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: mildewcide
Previous Word in the Dictionary: mild
All Words Near: mildew

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up mildew? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).