moody

adjective

ˈmü-dē 

moodier; moodiest

1

: subject to depression : gloomy

is often moody in the winter

2

: subject to moods : temperamental

moody teenagers

3

: expressive of a mood

a moody painting/ballad/film

moodily

ˈmü-də-lē 

adverb

moodiness

ˈmü-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of moody

• volatile
• impulsive
• changeful
• irritable
• unstable
• temperamental

Examples of moody in a Sentence

I don't know why I get so moody sometimes.

She's a moody woman—she can be happy one minute and angry the next.

The room's moody lighting suggested mystery and romance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Out of all our celebrity bedrooms, this one is closest to a sensory deprivation tank in its moody details, conjuring a place to disengage, relax, and hibernate. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 11 Mar. 2026

Sinners is defined by moody, intense Southern Gothic visuals that linger long after the credits roll. —Christine Ochefu, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026

The dark, moody atmosphere and soulful crooning has an air of the purgatorial to it. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026

Teens can be notoriously moody and hard to please. —Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for moody

• broody
• buddhi
• judy

Kids Definition

moody

adjective

ˈmüd-ē 

moodier; moodiest

1

: frequently influenced by moods

especially : affected by changeable and gloomy moods or bad temper

2

: expressing a mood

a moody face

moodily

ˈmüd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

moodiness

ˈmüd-ē-nəs 

noun

Biographical Definition

Moody

biographical name

Moo·​dy ˈmü-dē 

Dwight Lyman 1837–1899 American evangelist