musty

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adjective \ˈməs-tē\

: having a bad smell because of wetness, old age, or lack of fresh air

must·i·ermust·i·est

Full Definition of MUSTY

1

a :  impaired by damp or mildew :  moldy

b :  tasting of mold

c :  smelling of damp and decay :  fusty

2

a :  trite, stale <musty prose>

b (1) :  antiquated <musty customs> (2) :  superannuated

— must·i·ly \ˈməs-tə-lē\ adverb

— must·i·ness \-tē-nəs\ noun

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Examples of MUSTY

1. a dark and musty basement
2. <the musty prose of writers who use the same expressions over and over>

Origin of MUSTY

⁴must

First Known Use: 1530

Related to MUSTY

Synonyms

fetid, foul, frowsty [chiefly British], frowsy (or frowzy), funky, fusty, malodorous, noisome, rank, reeking, reeky, ripe, smelly, stenchy, stinking, stinky, strong

Antonyms

ambrosial, aromatic, fragrant, perfumed, redolent, savory (also savoury), scented, sweet

Related Words

putrid, rancid, skunky, stale; bad, disgusting, offensive, repulsive, revolting, vile; decayed, decaying, decomposed, decomposing, rotted, rotten, rotting, spoiled, spoiling; dirty, filthy, nasty, noxious; odiferous, odoriferous, odorous

Near Antonyms

flowery, fruity, spicy, woodsy

See Synonym Discussion at malodorous

Rhymes with MUSTY

busty, crusty, dusty, fusty, gusty, lusty, rusty, trusty